PREMIERS HONOURED

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1152, 13 June 1911, Page 5

PREMIERS HONOURED

OXFORD DEGREES CONFERRED By Telceranh—Press Association-OoDyriEbS London, June 11. The University of Oxford conferred Doctorships of Law on Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister of New Zealand), General Louis Botha (Primo Minister of South Africa), and Sir E. Morris (Premier of Newfoundland). Tho ceremony was held in tho Sheldonian Theatre in which the conferring of honorary degrees at Oxford always takes place. Dr. Henry Goudy, M.A., D.C.L., Regius Professor of Civil JLaw at Oxford, in introducing Sir Joseph Ward, referred to tho gift by New Zealand of a Dreadnought. This, he said, had induced competition by other Dominions. Though tho proposals before the present Conference were too great for immediate execution they revealed, in Dr. Goudy's opinion, far-sighted statesmanship, in which lie was able to discern the germ of a greater United Empire. THE TREATY-MAKING POWER, Melbourne, June 12. Mr. W. M. Hughes, Acting-Prime Minister, regards Sir Wilfrid Xaurier's proposal at the Imperial Conference to endow tho Dominions wit'h power to make treaties with foreign countries as completely opposed to the Imperialistic idea. If tho proposal were adopted, it might happen, as in the case of Canada, that some portion of tho Empire would have better tariff terms wit'h a particular country than other portions had. This would make for disintegration of the Empire. THE LOST COMMITTEE PROPOSAL. Sydney, June 12. The "Sydney Morning Herald" 6ays that the result of the debate on Mr. Harcourt's proposal at the Imperial Conference for a Standing Committee of Dominion representatives is a matter for grave regret, and adds: —"Wo share with Sir Joseph Ward astonishment at Sir Wilfrid Laurier's dread of any interference by the Imperial authorities with the Dominions. The Dominion Governments would have had exactly as much independence as they have now, together with an added power, in being able to co-operato with tho United Kingdom with a knowledge of what was needed." A WEEK-END PARTY. (Rec. June 12, 9.10 p.m.) London, June 12. Mr. and ilrs. Lewis Harcourt gave a largo week-end house party at their country residence at Nunehain Park, Oxford, as a welcome to the overseas Ministers.