THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1528, 9 April 1887, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

[special to press association.] AUSTRALIAN NAVAL DEFENCE. ■ London, April 6. At the Conference to-day, the Right Hon. Lord George Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty, proposed that the Australian fleet should be increased, supplementing the present squadron by five cruisers and torpedo boats. England will undertake the construction of these vessels if the eclonies will maintain them, the whole fleet to be under the control of the Admiral. The contributions from the colonies would be ;£i 30,000 per annum during war, and during peace, also that the sum of ,£30,000 annually should be paid into a Sinking Fund. The reliefs for the squadron would be triennial. The Victorian Government have agreed to the maintenance proposals, but have objected to the Sinking Fund, contending that the expense they have to bear m connection with their local fleet should be taken ao a act oft. Mr Downer, on behalf of South Australia, has concurred m tbe proposals, and the Government of New South Wales has accepted the offer, urgiiig" upon the Admiralty liberal treatment. Sir S. Giifliths, of Queensland, and Mr Dodds, representative of Tasmania, have also concurred m the proposals. The New Zealand Government will arrange separately. Lord Gecrge Hamilton declined to abate the amount of the Sinking Fund, stating that it ought to have been A long discussion took place on the proposals, but no agreement was arrived at, the Victorian delegates remaining firm on the question of the Sinking Fund. A private Australian conference on the matter is projected. LoNDoir, April 7. The following is a precis of yesterday's proceedings. The delegates generally favored the extension of the judgments of Colonial Probate Courts, and it was decided to draft certain clauses for submission to Select Committee, and atter the latter's report to consider them m the whole Conference. The Conference discussed the question of life-saving apparatus at sea, whereon there was a wide difference of opinion, but t was agreed to alter tbe present system and calculate by veseels' tannage, The representations of the Imperial Government were announced, that the views of the delegates should be referred to the Board of Trade, or to a Parliamentary Committee. The Conference now stand adjourned to Thursday, April 14.

[special xo press association.] London, April 6. The objection to a uniform law for enforcing Colonial judgments m England is only tehnical, but the adoption of the proposed reciprocal principles wfth the bankruptcy laws is hopeless. London, April 7. Mr Deakin compared the vacillatpolicy of England regarding the annexa tion of New Guinea with the vigorous action of Germrny. Speaking of the deportation fo recidivisms to the Pacific, Mr Deakin said some of tlu colonies were eager to obtain an expression of opinion from the the Imperial Government as to whether Australia is to have the taint of convictism of the worst class thrust upon it. Victoria was determined to use every effort to ventilate the question to the fullest extent, with a view to obtaining a satisfactory settlement of the matter* The representatives of that colony were, however, prepared to submit to the desire of majority.