THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

AGENDA TO BE SETTLED BY THE DELEGATES THE IRISH QUESTION ' London, February 19.'Ju- the House of Commons Mr: Bonar Law stated that.the subjects for discussion at tho Imperial Conferenco will not bo decided until the. overseas representatives have arrived. The Government would not interfere with anything the Council desired. The question of the administration of Ireland "was ;i matter for the Imperial Parliament. ....

Mr. Walter Long stated that he was anxiously considering the question of compulsory local military service for European British subjects in the Crown colonies in which compulsion did not exist, but was not prepared to adopt any further 'chance at present.—Reuter. NEWFOUNDLAND AT THE CONFERENCE. I .FORECAST OF TOPIC'S. Ottawa, February 10. The Premier of Newfoundland (Sir 13. P. Morris) has sailed to attend-the Imperial Conference. A member of tho Newfoundland Ministry states that the questions, to be discussed will probably includo the unification of .Australia apd New Zealand' with other' Pa-, cine possessions, including the former German possessions; the extension of South Africa to includo the former German possessions, and tho absorption of Newfoundland with Canada.— Aus:-N.Z. Cable Assn.

' AIR'. HUGHES'S TRIP. (Rec. February 21, 0.20 a.m.) Sydney, February 20. . Mr. Hughes states that he himself, Sir -William Irvine, and probably Sir John Forrest will go to tho Imperial Conference.—Press Association.

UNPATRIOTIC SPEECH. BY MEMBER OF FEDERAL HOUSE. Melbourne, February 20. Mri J. Mathews, member for Port Melbourne in the Federal House. of Representatives, in a speech at.Ballarat, • which was loudly applauded, said: "Tho thoughts'of our representatives to the Imperial Conference aro centred on 'Win the war and damn Australia.' If tho Imperial Conference intended to interfere with the domestic affairs of Australia ..let it remember that tea'was thrown overboard in Boston Harbour."—Press Association; > IThe British Act of Parliament laying duties on tea, papers, colours, etc., passed_ in 1767, greatly excited the indignation of the citizens of Boston, and in 1773 the duties, with the exception of that on tea, were suspended. The people of Boston seized 340 chests of tea in three vessels, and cast them into the sea.. The American War of Indenondence was the sequel.]