IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1553, 9 May 1887, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

[rEUTER's TELEGRAMS — COPYRIGHT.] London, M*y 7. At yesterday's meeting of the Conference the subjects which have been discussed since the opening meeting were reviewed. ' With reference to the naval defence of Australia, the draft for carrying out the decision which had been arrived at by the Conference was agreed to. Regarding the proposed Pacific cable the general opinion of the delegates was favorable to the prospects of its success, #nd it is believed the colonies, m conjunction with the limperial Government, will take the matter up. During the discussion on the New Hebrides question, Mr James , Service alluded to the statement made by Le Temps, to the effect that M. • Waddington proposes that an Anglo- ' French Naval Commission be appointed for the protection of the group. He ; declared that whatever police force the French should have on the Islands the Australian Colonies would insist on i having an English force exactly the same strength. No arrangement would ■ satisfy the colonies which should leave 1 the French dominant m the New | Hebrides. It is expected Sir Henry Holland will make a statement on the 1 subject at Monday's meeting of the i Conference. With regard to the ■ Queen's adopting a title m connection 1 with the Colonies the question was left for the decision of her Majesty. Sir ! Henry Holland stated that the matter [ would sßoctly be introduced m the Imperial Parliament. The delegates tfiln presented an address to Sir H. ' Holland, congratulating him on the j success of the Conference and his management of its affairs. The delegates expressed themselves highly satis- , fied with the manner m which the proceedings had been conducted, and t declared that no hitch whatever had » occurred m their discussions. ; On Monday next the final sitting will take place, when among the subjects to be discussed will be the ques- \ tion of administration of New Guinea, i May 8. [ The delegates to the Imperial Coni ference suggested that the new title to 1 be assumed by the Queen be " United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, 1 Colonies, and Dependencies." The delegates yesterday visited Cam- ! bridge, and were entertained at lunch • by the Master of Trinity College. Mr Deakin, of Victoria, m the course of a speech on the occasion, dwelt at ! some length on the prosperity of the colonies, which, he declared, only ; lacked high intellectual culture. '