IMPERIAL CONFERENCE REPORT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1255, 11 October 1911, Page 6

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE REPORT.

OPPORTUNITY FOB DISCUSSION ASKED FOR, The PRIME MINISTER laid on the table tho papers and reports laid before the Imjional Conference of 1911. At tho suggestion of Mr. Allen, tho Prime Minister agreed that the papers should be printed. Mr. MALCOLM repeated a suggestion which ho said tho member for Wellington Central had made earlier in the session, that the Imperial Government should bo asked to print sufficient copies to supply tho Dominions. Sir Joseph WARD objected that this course would bo inconvenient, that it would be difficult to ascertain the number required, and that the work should be done at the local printing office, Sir. FISHER said ho had simply proposed that tho Frimo Minister should bring out half-a-dozen copies .instead of ono when lie returned from- Uiu Conference. Mr. A. L. HERDMAN asked when the Ilouee would bo given an opportunity of discussing the report of the Imperial Conforonco,

Sir J. G. WARD replied that ho had already promised'to submit to the House the resolutions which required ratification by Parliament, and those resolutions could then bo discussed. There would be 110 need to discuss other matters.

Mr. HERDMAN said ho gathered that no opportunity would bo' given to discuss ono very important proposal, that in regard to establishing an Imperial Council. Sir Joseph WARD said it was his duty to submit to the Houso those resolutions which required ratification. If there were timo lie would have no objection to submitting the whole work of the conference to the Houso for discussion. WHAT FRUITGROWERS WANT. RAILWAY CONCESSIONS. The Agricultural Committee recommended to the consideration of the Government a Waimate petition asking lor free carriage by rail of returned empty strawberry crates and raspbery buckets. Sir W. J. STEWARD (Waitaki) and other members spoke in support of the petition. Mr. MASSEY said the concession should be granted for the strawberry growers throughout tho Dominion, and not those of Waimate only. He also asked when tho Minister would table the promised schedule of local rates on the railways. Mr. E. H. CLARK (Chalmers) suggested that the fish trade should receive the same concession as the fruit trade. Mr. H. G. ELL (Christchurch South) urged that tho railway rates should be such as to cheapen the cost of food and other necessaries. Mr. G. J. ANDERSON (Mataura) said the freight rates on fruit wero already as low as they should bo. in view of the desirableness of making the railways free. If tho returned empties wero carried free for 100 miles, and at the present rato after that, that ought to be enough. It would, of course, bo verv nice to get everything free, but somebody must pay. After other members had spoken, the subject dropped without any Ministerial statement being made. THIRD READING. The Kaikoura Hospital Site Bill was i read a third time. UNIVERSITY BILLS. Sir Joseph WARD moved the second reading of the Auckland University College Amendment Bill. . The second reading was carried on the voices. The Hon. T. MACKENZIE moved tho second reading of the University of Otago Council Bill. The second reading was agreed to. TRAMWAYS BILL. The Hon. R. M'KENZIE replied in the adjourned debate upon tho Tramways Amendment Bili, and the second reading was agreed to. METHODIST CHURCH. THE SEPARATION BILL. Tho PRIME MINISTER moved the second reading of tho Methodist Church of New Zealand Bill.' He stated' that it ivas intended to give effect to a proposal agreed to by those who were responsible for the separation of the New Zealand Methodist Church from that of Australia. The Prime Minister stated that he had in his possession documents proving, that all the parties concerned had a "rood to the separation. The Bill would create an independent Church under tho name of Methodist Church of New Zealand. ■ The second reading was carried, and tha House rose at 9.40 p.m. .. .