EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1134, 23 May 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

OLD FACES AND NEW. PROSPECTS OF THE GATHERING DISCUSSED. NO GREAT CHANGES EXPECTED i By Telecrapli—l'ress Association—Oopyrlelit (Rec. May 23, 0.15 a.m.) London, May 22. In view of the opening of the Imperial Conference to-day, the "Daily Telegraph" in a leading article publishes a retrospect of tho personalities of past and present Conferences. It says Sir Wilfrid Laurier will renew his friendship with the people of the Homeland, and the country will find Sir Joseph Ward still speaking manfully and sturdily for the smallest, but perhaps the most enthusiastic and intensely British of all the Dominions.

General Botha, representing United South Africa, and Mr. Fisher, from Australia, will be newcomers, and Mr. Fisher, being both new and tho head of the Labour party which won such a sweeping victory at the last Commonwealth elections, there will bo great curiosity to see how ho ranges himself among his brother Premiers. It is certain that his Imperialism is no less sincere than Mr. Deakin's, even if liis methods are different.

After mentioning the Premier of New. foundland, the writer adds that all members of the Conference will bo equally welcomo to the people of the Motherland. They come eager to do their best for all the young nationalities of the Empire alike, but overything points to the prospect of no great experiments being made, and of the Imperial framework remaining much the samo after the Conference as now.

The full and freo discussion of _ Sir Joseph Ward's and other Dominions' proposals should, however, be most informative, enabling the public to judge of the prospects of an early or ultimate agreement on some great problems.

It was encouraging to see that the Imperial Government proposed to discuss the establishment of labour exchanges for the Empire. In (ho meantimo all Imperialists, irrespective of party, would earnestly hopo that the Conference would advance smoothly and successfully to a prosperous

YESTERDAY'S FUNCTIONS. A BUSY DAY. (Ecc. May 22, 10.25 p.m.) London, May 22. Sixty guests attended Mr. LloydGeorge's luncheon to tho overseas Prime Ministers to-day. Mr. Asquith will entertain tho delegates to the Conference at dinner tonight, while their ladies will bo Earl Granard's guests. ' A reception at the Foreign Offico will follow. . j STATE-OWNED CABLE, ATLANTIC SCHEME'S PROSPECTS. ■ (Rec. May 22,. 11.40 p.m.) . London, May 22. "The Times's" Ottawa correspondent reports that Canadians Ijclievo that tho Imperial Conferenco will settle tho question of a State-owned cable between Canada and fho Motlierlaiid... Sir Wilfrid Laurier, with the co-opera-tion of Australia and New Zealand, who are interested equally with Canada, is expected to bring tho matter to a successful conclusion. The passing of the ownership of all tho leading Atlantic cables into foreign hands will bo a strong additional reason for State ownership. It is not believed in Ottawa that the proposed control of the British Post Office over foreign-owned cablcs can bo moro than nominal. SPECIAL ISSUE OF "THE TIMES." (Rec. May 22, 10.25 p.m.) London, May 22. "Tho Times" is publishing on Wednesday a remarkable supplement describing tho resources, industries, administration, daily life, sports, political problems, progress and prospects of India and the oversea Dominions. AUSTRALIA AND AERONAUTICS. (Rec. May 23, 0.25 a.m.) Melbourne, May 22. While in England Senator Pearce, Minister for Defence, is communicating with a committee of experts on aeronautics. THE AGENDA. PROPOSALS OF THE COLONIES AT THE CONFERENCE. . Tho chief of the proposals which will bs submitted at the Imperial Conference which was to meet yesterday in London are as follow: AUSTRALIA. Commercial co-operation. Uniform navigation laws. Uniform company laws. Opposition to Declaration of London, Military and naval co-operation. Status of colonial navies. All-Red cablo route. Singlo Imperial Court of Appeal, NEW ZEALAKD. Imperial Advisory Council of State. To change title of Colonial Secretary to "Secretary of State for Imperial Affairs." High Commissioners to attend meetings of Committee of Defence. All-Red. telegraphic route. Imperial Court of Appeal. SOUTH AFRICA. Military and naval co-operation generally, and in substitution for preference. A uniform stamp aud postal affairs generally. Employment bureaux for procuring emigrants for tho Dominions. NEWFOUNDLAND. Only one proposal, regarding (steamship connections to Newfoundland.