IMPERIAL POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 985, 28 November 1910, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLICY.

THE COMING CONFERENCE. WHAT AUSTRALIA DESIRES. By Tcle£rraDh-PrC3.t ABsociation-CoDrrieM. Melbourne, November 26. Amongst tho subjects to bo submitted to the Imperial Conference by the Commonwealth is International Arbitration. Tho resolution asks tho Conference to recommend in a most emphatic manner tho acceptance by all civilised nations of tho principle of referring international disputes to, and settling them by, a properly constituted tribunal. Regarding tho nationalisation of an Atlantic cable, the resolution recommends that this step should bo taken in order to cheapen anH render more effective communication between Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, by thus acquiring complete control of all telegraphic and 'cable lines along an all-red route. ' The resolutions dealing with commercial relatious strongly- urges tho ■ importance of promoting the fuller development of commercial intercourse within the Empire, jmd that every effort should be made to bring about co-opera-tion in commercial relations and matters of mutual interest. . Another resolution urges that, in the interest of the United Kingdom and Dominions beyond the seas, efforts in favour of British manufactures and British shipping should be supported as far as practicable. Another subject recommended for consideration is the securing of uniformity of the company laws of the Empire. The emigration resolution asks the Imperial Government to co-operate with tho colonies who desiro immigrants, in assisting suitable people to emigrate. The naturalisation resolution asks each part of the Empire to make provision to facilitate tho naturalisation of persons who have been naturalised in any other part of the Empire. THE PROPOSALS DEBATED. MR. DEAKIN'S VIEWS. > Melbourne, November 26. Mr. Deakiu, Leader of the Opposition, speaking in Parliament on the Government proposals,, regretted that the Imperial Conference resolutions had not been submitted till the last day' of tho session. "'Such important subjects needed more consideration. Ho suggested tlio: necessity for establishing a single Imperial Court of Appeal. Such court should replaco tho Privy Council. It might compriso Judges from Australia, Canada, and South Africa. . .

'Mr* Hughes promised to add'this to the other suggestions.

Mr' Doakin considered it was suffi-: cient that tho Conference should remain merely advisory..' Provision should ho made for following up closely tho work of one Conference until tho next meeting. Ho urged tho necessity for securing unity on the question of Empire defence Some central Imperial body was necessary,to securo this. He pointed out how, in spite of herself, Australia had been forced into a foreign policy of her own. There were foreign interests and foreign risks around her on every side. A pacific policy she must have, and her relations throughout the Pacific are of vital importance. ' Sir William Lyno urged the necessity ior keeping the secretarial proposal alive. " The self-governing colonies should be separated in their Imporial relations :from the- Crown colonie3. Unity in the mattor of defence was essential to tho Empire^