IMPERIAL CONFERE NCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 486, 28 July 1902, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERE NCE.

OPINIONS GIVEN

By .Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. I.ON DON', 'July 25 >

The Daily Telegraph says that it is clear that the self-governing colonies are not united in contributing to Imperial defence according to their wealth and population. Th lines whereon the strengthening of Imperial defence mustbe sought are those of local action, and free will guided by common ideas and purposes.

Sir Edmund Ballon, speaking at the Anglo-Saxon dinner, said that it was a mistake to suppose that the Imperial Conference was promulgating a scheme

of a I'nited Empire. The obstacles m the way of colonial representation in the Imperial Parliament, were at- present, insurmountable, though he would rather that it came in his time. The tendency of the Empire would always lie towards closer union, the ties not resting oil iron hands, but upon growth

of ;l , strong and linn affection. Their obligations should , not be too much iogulafed by the terms of the countinghouse, and they would be so much more the terms of the heart.

MR SEDDON UNSUPPORTED BY OTHER PREMIERS.

A CHECK TO MR BRODRICK.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 26. The Imperial Conference has resumed. .Mr Chamberlain, Lord Selborne, Mr Brodrick, Major-General Sir W. 0. Nicholson i Director-General of the Military Intelligence Department), Lord Onslow, Mr Omaney, and Sir John Andersen were present, in addition to the Colonial representatives,

Mr Seddon’s proposal that each colony establish a military reserve selected from local forces was discussed throughout the si l ting in relation to the general military defence of the Empire.

The delegates will probably enter further into tlie subject separately, explaining particulars and requirements of the respective colonies. The next sitting will bo held on Wednesday, to discuss tlie political relations of the Colonies and tiio Motherland, the nolding of periodical conferences, and other subjects. Mr Brodrick’s proposals were that colonies possessing autonomous Government should maintain an Imperial militia reserve -but the strength was not stated —largely consisting of mounted men available for servico abroad in timo of emergency, under War Olliee control. Ho strongly pressed the necessity of tho War Olliee knowing exactly the number and typo of troops in the Colonies they would oe able to rely upon in time of war. He was disappointed that Mr Seddon’s ccoperation alone was available. Sir Edmund Barton and Sir Wilfrid Lauricr strongly indicated that they were unprepared to invite their respective Parliaments to sanction military expenditure except for local defence, though willing to reorganise tho forces so as to produce uniformity of training according to British army ideals, adopt an Imperial standard of arms and ammunition, and establish in each autonomous eentro of Australia or Canada an ammunition factory. Thoy did not ask Imperial assistance for land defence, but were not prepared to submit to any compulsion to assist in Imperial defence. Thoy were ready voluntarily to aid in war time more liberally than in the past. They appealed to the war authorities to trust tho colonies. They would thus obtain better results.

South Africa practically concurs in tho Australian and Canadian views. The colonial opposition to Mr Brodrick’s proposals is therefore considered decisive.