EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1057, 21 February 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

NOT LIKELY TO BE SHOWY. TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS EXPECTED. ALL-RED ROUTE. y Tclcsrapb-rross As6oclallon-Cosy:Ujht. (Roe. February 20, 11.25 p.m.) London, February 20. The "Daily Telegraph" wiys Sir Joseph ,'nril will very likely bo tho loader of io parly of consolidation at tho Imperial onferenco, but the party averse to exerimont in essentials is sure to liavo-an vcrwhclmins ns-ccudancy. Tho Conference is unlikely to bo of a howy. kind appealing to tho Umpire's pagination, but will rather deal with !gal technicalities, such as nalionnlisaion, navigation, ami cable rates. It is ossiblo that practical shano will bo given o the All-Rod route, proposals. IMPERIAL LABOUR EXCHANGES. A COMPREHENSIVE SILENCE, (Rec. February 20, 11.25 p.m:) London, February 20. The • "Daily Chroniclo" emphasises the mportanco of the Imperial Conforcnco liscussing tho question of emigration, particularly in connection with the resolutions to bo submitted on behalf of Australia, and the British resolutions re, jarding labour exchanges. Tho "Chronicle's" labour correspondent says tho idea is for a central exchange to serve as a clearing-house for tho Empire's surplus labour in tho various parts of tho Empire, and to make frequent repovts, the British exchanges arranging for the temporary or- permanent transfer of surplus labour where a demand exists. • Tho correspondent adds that a factor in tho situation making for uncertainty is tho attitude-of the trades unions, and tho labour leaders, who aro believed to be .strongly opposed to State-aided immigration of unemployed. If the conference agrees to a scheme the trades unions may oppose it. SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION. THE DOMINIONS' SUGGESTIONS. Sydney, February 20. The Commonwealth questions for discussion at the Imperial Conference haTC been published. South Africa desires that all matters relating ,to tho oversea Dominions should bo placed directly under tho Prime Minister of Great Britain. It desires to encourage shipping combines formed with the object of controlling freight rates. Canada has no subjects to discuss. New Zealand suggests Imperial representation of tho oversea Dominions, Imperial penny postage, and a State-owned Atlantic cable. i AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME. LIBERAL PRESS VIEWS. London, February 19. The "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal), dis cussing tho question of the Imperial Con ference, maintnins that the Blue Book re cently issued shows the • strikingly, greal scope for the concerted closer inter-Im-perial action, entirely apart from preference, and a conclusive refutation of th< delusion that'withont n'tax-o'n food then is nothing to hopetor' strive' after in th domain of Imperial politics. Tho "Daily News" (Liberal) declare that the conference has an ambitious pro gramme. ' • , ■ •-' OPEN OR CLOSED DOORS. MR.' FISHER ON PREFERENCE. . Melbourne, I'cbruary 20. The Federal Prime Minister ' (Mr Fisher) strongly supports New Zealand' suggestion that tho proceedings of th Imperial Conference should be open. Referring to preference, he says li does not consider the' subject barred The action of Canada may affect the othe Dominions to some extent, but should no necessarily close tho whole subject. H ngreed with tho cabled press eommen that there was great scope for inter Imperial action apart from preference.-