EMPIRE CONFERENCE OPENS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 7

EMPIRE CONFERENCE OPENS.

MR. ASQUITH WELCOMES PREMIERS.

STRENGTHENING THE BONDS OF UNION

IMPERIAL COUNCIL SCHEME.

By Tolecrapti—Press association—Oopyrieht (Ree. May 21, 10.30 p.m.) London, May 21. Tho Imperial Conference was opened yesterday at tho Foreign Offico The Priroo Minister, Mr. Asquith, presided, and in a speech of about half an hour's duration, heartily welcomed tho overseas delegates, and defined tho scope of the conference.

Mr. Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Sydney Buxton, Prosident of the Board of Trade, and several other Cabinet Ministers were present.

The proceedings were not open to tho press. A crowd in tho stitet cheered the delegates as they, entered tire Foreign Office. The representatives of the Dominions present were:—

AUSTRALIA. Mr. A. Fisher, Prime- Minister. Mr. E. L. Batchelor, Minister for External Affairs. Mr. G. F. Pearce, Minister for Defence. ] luvl A. Atleo Hunt, Secretary, Depart- I ment of External Affairs. ' Mr. G. T. Allen, Secretary, Common- i wealth Treasury. ' Commander S. A. Petheridge, Secretary, ' Defence Department. I SOUTH AFRICA. General Louis Botha, Prime Minister. Mr. H.-C. Hnil, Minister for Finance. Mr. F. S. Malan, Minister for Education: NEW ZEALAND. Sir. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. Dr. J. G. Findlay, Attorney-General. CANADA. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prima Minister. Sir Frederick Borden, Minister for Defence. ' . Mr. Brodeur, Minister for Marine. NEWFOUNDLAND. Sir Edward Morris, Prime Minister. . MR. ABQU/TH r S ADDRESS. EVOLUTION OF THE EMPIRE. Mr. Asquith, in his opening address, made sympathetic references to the deaths of King Edward and Sir Henry CampbellBannerman, late Prime Minister, and emphasised the non-party character of the Conference. It was, he said, a happy coincidence that, the time chosen for the Conference would enable tho statesmen ,of the self-governing Dominions to take a ; personal"'p,art in the Coronation. -The Empire was made up of countries not geographically co-terminus, nor even con-, tiguous; it did not even draw its unifying and cohesive force solely from identity of race and language. They had hero a political organisation which by its mero cxistenco ruled out the possibility of war between populations numbering something like one-third of the human raee. , • Unique in History. There were ■ two things in the self-gov-erning British Empire which were .unique in tho history of a great political aggregation. The first was the .reign of law, and the second the combination of .local autonomy, absolute and .unfettered, with loyalty to a common head. ■ In the early Victorian era there were two rough-and-ready solutions of the colonial problems. One was centralisation, or government from Downing Street, and the other disintegration, by which each community as it grew to manhood would without embitterment start an independent existence. After seventy years of Imperial evolution neither of these theories commanded the faintest support in any part of the Empire now. Each intended to remain master in its own household, and also to remain units, but uuits in a greater unit. Closer Union. There were proposals on the agenda paper, continued the Prime Minister, aiming at somo closer political union in the shape of an advisory council. Without' offering an opinion he would venture to observe that they must not lose sight of tho valua of elasticity and flexibility in the Imperial organisation. . ■>■ .He trusted the Imperial Government would be able to offer acceptable' suggestions with regard to the constitution of tho Colonial' Office and tho segregation arid concentration of the work appropriate to the Dominions, from the other work of the Department. • _ . Defence and Foreign Policy. Mr. Asquith referred to the far-reaching results of the last Defeuci Conference, and the inauguration of the Canadian and Australian fleets, giving a further impetus . to the spirit of self-reliance. It was highly desirable to take stock \ together of the possible risks' and dangers > to which all portions of the Empire were . exposed in common, and to weigh cursi fully and adequately the reciprocal adapt- • iveness of the contributions they were [ making to provido against them. ; In concluding, the Prime Minister said i he believed there was throughout th.2 Cani ference one spirit and one purpose to | mako the Empire and all its parts a more complete and effective instrument for the furtherance of liberty. MR. FISHER SPEAKS. ' Mr. Fisher, Prime Minister of Austra- ■ lia, said he oamo to the conference'as a • wholl-hearled advocate of the Conference ' Gain, he thought, would accrue if they ! could meet not' only in Ote centre of the , Empire, but also in the centres of -.he I other Dominions. He earnestly appealed to Mr. Asquith to take some strong steps to remedy tho grave abuse affecting the commerce of the Empire and other countries in the shape of the exorbitant Suez £ Canal charges. He hoped the Govcrns ment would afford the Dominions moro o expeditious access to the trade reports ' from every part of the world.

productive of materia) and even importaut results. ' He represented a country which had no grievances and very few suggestions to make. They in Canada were satisfied with their lot, and ho approached the suggestions of his colleagues with an open mind. Ho recognised th.> truth of the principle- that the British Empire can and ought to live in Imperial unity based on local autonomy.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SCHEME. Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister of New Zealand, eulogised tho lato Sir Henry Campbcll-Bannerman's initiatory work which had resulted in tho consolidation of South Africa. While presorting local autonomy, it was essential to make a step forward if they wished to prevent tho rise of disintegration. He recognised the necessity of elasticity in matters which might be the outcome of the Conference. BOER AND BRITON. General Botha, Prime Minister of South Africa, said ho was gratified at participating in the Conference, and was able to say that in South Africa, where thero had been so much discord, and where so much blood had flown, concord • n.i harmony now reigned, nnd tho people were inspired with hope and courage for the future. Sir Edward Morris, Prime Minister of Newfoundland, also spoke. • ADDRESS OF HOMAGE. On the conclusion of the opening addresses, Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved, and Mr. Fisher seconded, that an address of homage be presented to the King. The motion was carried without dissent. ADMISSION OF THE PRESS. THE MOTION LOST. Sir Joseph Ward, in moving that tho press bo admitted, referred to tho difficulty of obtaining information regarding the last Conference, a difficulty which the press had been unable to control. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said the last Conference arrangements were satisfactory. The people of New Zealand were as well informed as the people of London and Canada. If tho press were admitted the deliberations would assume the character of a public discussion. It was necessary to presorve privacy and to publish results, and not differences of opinion. Mr. Fisher sympathised with the resolution, but said that if the press withdrew when a particular subject was discussed public attention would be markedly drawn to it. .He suggested that lhe_ : confidential subjects be separated from the rest. General Botha opposed the motion. Mr, Asquith's View. ■Mr. Asquitlr suggested that' Sir Joseph Ward should not press the motion. Ha appreciated the reasons behind it, but it must be remembered that tho Conference could not take the form of a public meeting, and that its usefulness would be impaired, if the. questions to lie considered were not discussed freely. The occasional'exclusion of the press would ' oxcito curiosity, and pictures would be drawn of conflicts within the Conference. Sir Joseph Ward, in roply, said that in view of the opinions expressed ho sawno chance of carrying tho motion, and would therefore withdraw it. Mr. Asquith explained that naval and military matters would be discussed in tho Committee of Imperial Defence, where the members of tho Conference would have the advantage of expert advice. It would also probably bo desirable not to bring other technical subjects before tho Conference until they liad been .discussed by tho overseas representatives and tho Imperial Departments concerned. SITTING DAYS, The Conference decided to sit on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 11 in the mornings to 1.30 in tlw afternoons, if thero is urgent necessity for so doing. An official summary will be issued daily. AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL. NEW ZEALAND MOTION. Sir Joseph Ward moved his -Imperial Council resolution:— That tho Empire has now reached a stage of Imperial development which readers it expedient that there should be an Imperial Council of State, with representatives from all the constituent parts of the Empire, whether self-governing or not, in theory and in fact advisory to tho Imperial Government on all questions affecting ths interests of his Majesty's Dominions oversea. Sir Joseph Ward has not yet finished his speech on the motion. PERSONALITIES AT THE CONFERENCE.

Referring to the defence scheme, Mr. Fisher said Australia desired to help in the preservation of the honour and prcatness of the Mother Country, and cheerfully to co-operate with the Mother Country, while protecting her own shores. The Commonwealth desired to assist in anything in tho shape of international arbitration that would preserve, tho peace of tho world.

CANADA AND HER LOT. Sir Wilfrid I.aurier, Prime Minister of Canada, said ho might claim that thei work of the last Conference had been

THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Though you may dislike his politics, says a "Pall Mall duetto" writer, you cannot help liking "Lulu" Harconrt, tbo able son of a very able father; in fact, whether in society, or the House- of Commons, or wherever you moot him, he is a delightful personality. Born in 1863 to the late Sir William by his first wife, lip, after (he natural course of Eton, underwent bis political apprenticeship with his father as his private secretary at. the Home Office and Treasury. He took very groat interest in Liberal organisation, and was for some time Secretary of the Home Counties Librral Induration. He was first elected for the Roseudnle division of N.H. Lancashire in March, 1001. He is thoroughly at homo at the Offico of Works, but he could not frame a Plural Voting Bill to please tho House of Lords in l!)0(i, and it must bo said (lint he took no particular pains to do so. He was liked so well as a Minister by his chief that he was taken into the Cabinet in March, 1007, and a few months ago was appointed Secretary of State for the Colonins in succession to Lord Crewe, who went to tho India Office

SIR WILFRID LAURIER. Sir Wilfrid Lauricr has been Premier of Canada since 1896, and is the first French Canadian to hold that honourable and responsible position. Hy his ability and fairness bo has won the reipect and confidence of all classes of the community. Ho was born iiiQucbcc in 1811, and took bis degree of li.C.L. at JK.lll University in lSlil. He entered (he Canadian Parliament in 1871, nnd six years later was appointed Minister of Inland Revenue in the Mnckcnzio Ministry, lr. 1691 he became leader of tho Liberal party, a position which he has oyer mice retained. Although a Liberal and a I-roc-Trader, Sir Wilfrid Ins always put the good of his country before tho shibboleths

r pari v. lie is n slrong InipiTiiilisl, iiml it uilv.Viite uf iinihi.il preference hclwccn In' Mother Cuiiiilrv ;iu>l I hi' Huiiiiukni of 'aiiaila. .Ml!. AN 1)11 KW I'JSIII'III. Mr. Andrew Fisher became l'rimo linislor <il' Auslnilin last yen r for Hie oconil lime. In I'.ma In- liml » short .-Pfll n ollini lifter I In' dclcul uf -Mr- Dcakiii. lorn in Scotland in IWI2. lie went. '<> Jiki'iisliiihl in IWi'i. nml wns prominent n tin. Uiicen.-lairl riirliiniii'iil. Ik early s tK'.iil. Mr was Minister "f ltiuliviiys n Hi..- Hanson Ministry, ami has been " iioiubcr of the Cuumomvciillh I'nrlmiicnl since its iniiiiituriitmn. lie was "oininoiiwoallh Mini>UT I'm', traili; ,111111 lilftcMiis in MIOI. iiml wns l'nnir. Minislei n lilllS-11. lie Ihk ii Kdiiiiiic. c:oiii-im:m« niinnor which, combined with a touch ol he niKKCiI Scotch accent s>t ill remaining, nakes him iminciiialcly i»>J>'ilar with all vho come in conlacl with him. BOTHA OF SOUTH AFIIICA. General Hotha, who i* now fit t-y-cislil rears old, holils a unique position u :outh Africa. Ho is absolutely trustee iv tho British in all four colonics. Will lis own people, says a recent writer General UothaV word is law. J Ucy nia; wine to a meeting full of grievances- n Dutch arc-partial to grievances, like \\\< Dritish-nnd with muttcrings ol revolt But two words from General Both: :aliu them. Tho storm flics away. In people arc content. Of his alisolule loy ilty to Ihe British Throne there is no the faintest doubt. He accepted In terms of surrender at Vcrr-cnißjiiß. am lie will never go back on his word. Ire bnblv At heart ho recognises that In future of South Africa under' the Bvitisl Hag must be far freer and greater thai it would have been had the old sysleii continued. Moreover, ho is a true Sout African—not. merely a Dutch South Al rienn. He wants to sec the two whit races unite. NEWFOUNDLAND'S PREMIER. Sir Edward Moms has been Prim Minister of Newfoundland since Mwcl: 1909. Ho was born at St. John's on th island in 1859, anil after completing hi education at the University of Ottaws ho was culled to tho bar in 1885. Durin the same year he entered the Newfouiu land Parliament as member for S: John's, which ho has held continuously t the present time. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SCHEME. Sir Joseph Ward is attending his se< out! Imperial Conference as Prime Mini: ter of New Zealand. While en route fo London he attracted sonic attention b suggesting tho creation of an Impevi: Housa of Representatives,, returned upo a basis of. population, and an Imperii Senate, to which each portion of the En pire would elect equal numbers of men bers, such Parliament to be strictly lilt ited to the consideration of tho Imperii questions mentioned and to tho adjus ment and determination of tho contribi tions for Imperial defenco of each Di minion represented. . It would also & terminc tho need and extent of local di fences throughout the Empire. Its ail should bo the creation and maintenani of an invincible navy, capablo in all liki ly conditions of keeping open the higl ways for our trade, and protecting to 111 fullest extent inter-Imperial commerce. This proposal was not, however, inclm cd by Sir Joseph Ward in tho list of sul jects submitted for discussion. AUSTRALIAN LAND TAX. . .—$ IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL? By Telesraph—Press Association-Copyriili Melbourne, Hay 21. Tho case Osborne versus the Comraoi wealth is one of tho most important case as affecting flip powers of the Coinmoi wealth Parliament, yet Tfeard. The rig] of the Legislature to. enact the Land Ta Act is •challenged on two grounds—firs on a technical one relating to a discre; ancy in dates regarding the passing of tl Lund Tax Amendment Act. The ma: objection rests on constitutional points. It is contended by tho nominal plainti that tho avowed legislative intention i the Land Act—namely, to burst up lav; estates—is an invasion of tho powe

.Ml!. AN 1)11 KW I'JSIII'III. Mr. Andrew Hsliit became l'rimo linislor of Aiislriilin Insl yrar f<ir Hie ocor.il lime. In IMS ho had » s-liort .-poll ii ollini lifter Hi" ilclViil (if -Mr. Drakiii.. lorn in Si-iillniiil in IWI2. lie went. '<> jHci'iislnml in IWi'i. nml was prominent n tin- UiiH'ii-lnnl I'iirliinni'iil. Ik early s IX'.r.t. Hi' was Jlini.-liT "f ltiiiliviiys 11 Hi..- Hanson Ministry, and lias jii'i'ii nnomlicr of llif (.'.iininoinvi'iillli I'nrlinucnl siiiui. ils iiiiiiiKiirnlmn. Ho whs :'<iinmiimvi>;illh .Miniver for Lrmli; una lustrous in MIOI. mill wns Prime Minister n 11108-11. lie has n genuine, convincing niiniii'r which, i-nmbiiicil with a loucli ot ho rugged Srolch lucent still mllll.lr.lnu, nakos him imiuciiialcl.v l»'i;">>' «'"» :ill vho come in contact with him.

BOTHA OF SOUTH AFIIICA. General liotha, who i* now firi'.y-eight years old, holds a unique position in South Africa. Ho is absolutely trusted by the Jlritish in all four colonies. \Yitn his own people, tovs a recent writer, General Botha',- word is law. 1 hey may come to a meeting full of grievances- he Dutch arc- partial to grievances, like the British—ami with muttcrings id revolt. But two words from General Botha calm them. The storm dies away. Ine people arc content. Of his absolute loyalty to the British Throne there is not the faintest doubt. He accepted the terms of surrender at Vcrecnißjiig. and he will never go back on his word. 1 robablv At heart ho recognises that llio future of South Africa under' the British flag must be far freer and greater than it would have been had the old system continued. Moreover, ho is a true South African—not. merely a Dutch South African, lie wants to sec the two white races unite.

NEWFOUNDLAND'S PREMIER. Sir Edward Moms has been l'rimo Minister of Newfoundland since March, 1909. He was born at St. John's on the island in 1859, and after completing his education at the University of Ottawa, ho was called to the bar in 1885. During the same year he entered the Newfoundland Parliament as member for St. John's, which ho has held continuously to the present time.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SCHEME. Sir Joseph Ward is attending his second Imperial Conference as Prime Minister of New Zealand. While en route for London he attracted some attention by suggesting tho creation of an Imperial Housa of Representatives,, returned upon a basis of. popnlatmn, and an Imperial Senate, to which each portion of the Empire would elect equal numbers of members, such Parliament to be strictly limited to the consideration of tho Imperial questions mentioned and to the adjustment and determination of tho contributions for Imperial defenco of each Dominion represented. It would also determine tho need and extent of local defences throughout the Empire. Its aim should bo the creation and maintenance of an invincible navy, capablo in all likely conditions of keeping open the highways for our trade, and protecting to the fullest extent inter-Imperial commerce.

This proposal was not, however, included by Sir Joseph Ward in tho list of subjects submitted for discussion.

AUSTRALIAN LAND TAX. . .—$ IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL? By Telesrapb—Press Associalion-Copyriiht Melbourne, May 21. Tho case Osborne versus the Commonwealth is ono of tho most important cases, as affecting the powers of the Commonwealth Parliament, yet Tfeard. The right of the Legislature to enact the Land Tax Act is •challenged on two grounds—first, on a technical ono relating to a discrepancy in dates regarding the passing of th? Land Tax Amendment Act. The main objection rests on constitutional points. It- is contended by tho nominal plaintiff that tho avanved legislative intention of the Land Act—namely, to burst up large estates—is an invasion of tho powers specifically reserved to tho State's Constitution—merely empowering the Federal Government to pass tax measures for rev-enue-raising purposes.

THE FEDERAL. TAXING POWER. Tho Commonwealth Constitution gives tho Parliament power under Section 51 to make laws with respect to taxation, but so as not to discriminate between States and parts of States. In .their "Commentaries oil* the Constitution," Quick and Gavran state:—"Taxation may bo now defined as any exaction,of money or revenue by tho authority of a State from its'-subjects or its citizens and others within its jurisdiction for tho purposo of defraying tho cost of government, promoting tho common welfare, and defending it from aggression from without." Tho rulings of the United States Supreme Court aro then quoted to the effect that "tho term taxation covers every conceivable exaction which it is possible for a Government to. make."

In tho present case they will contend that the Land Tax. Act and Land Tax Assessment Act are within the competence of the Federal Parliament, and are valid and effectual to impose taxation, and to provide for its assessment and collection; further, that the Land Tax Assessmont Act is within the competence of tho Federal Parliament and is valid and. alternatively, that if any of tho sections are invalid, they, and each of them are separable from the rest: of the Act, and their invalidity, if invalid, does not affect the.validity of the rest of the Act.