IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1549, 4 May 1887, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

[UEUTEU'S TELEGRAMS— -COPY EIGHT.] London, May 2. At the morning meeting of the Conference the subject of the land defences of Australasia was resumed. The discussion was specially with regard to the protection of King George's Sound and Thursday Island. The result proved more satisfactory to the Australasian delegates than had been the case at the previous discussion of the subject. It was decided that King George's Sound should be provided with armaments of the latest design, and the Imperial Government agreed to bear a larger proportion of the cost of maintenance than they formerly pioposed. The annual expenditure m connection with the defence of the Sound is estimated at ;£io,ood, of which Western Australia will contribute the largest portion. The question of the Island is not settled. A discussion also took place relative to the defence of the Gulf of Carpentaria. At the afternoon sitting of the Conference the enforcement m England of judgments m the Colonial Law Courts and laws relating to bankruptcy were again under discussion. Mklbouknb, May 3. It is announced that the Victorian Government will shortly submit to Parliament measures dealing with the Australian naval defences. It is understood they will ask the approval of Parliament for an expenditure of per annum for a period of ten years, «n order to. carry into effect the resolutions regarding naval defences passed by the Conference. (Received May 4, 12.30 p m ) London, May 3 The delegates at the Conference tomorrow proceed to Windsor Castle, where they will be formally received by the Queen, and afterwards entertained at lunch by Her Majesty.