OUR PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1763, 1 June 1906, Page 2

OUR PREMIER.

CONFERENCE WITH MB DEAKIN

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association— Copyright. Beceived 1130 p.m., May 31. Melbourne, May SI. At a conference between Mr Deakin and Mr Seddon to-day a reoiprooal agreement was discussed, and the question of the New Hebrides dealt with. Everything is so far confidential. It is understood in regard to reciprocity that tbe agreement of 1897 will be extended and form the basis of the present negotiations.

Mr Beddon diDtd with tbe Commonwealth Government to-night He declares that, be is harder worked here, than if in New Zealand. Heexpresstd great pleasure Bt tbe tone of Mr Churchill’s speech. Allowing that Mr Cbutobill made tbe speech with the view of improving his position with the oolonies or to please them, be thirks it sbows that our aspirations and ideals are being realised, and that we will brook no interference with our rights as self-governing oolonies.

(Pet Press Association.)

. Wellington, last night. The Aoling-Premier hsß been advised that the report of tbo Premier’s remarks at Adelaide concerning tbe New Zealand Press Association, to the effect that the Government paid a large sum annually towards tbe upkeep of that Association, is incorreot. What tbe Premier did say, and is prepared to stand by, was that the concessions given to the Press Association amounted to £20,000 annually, and confirmation of this wilt be found in a return presented to Parliament some time ago,

Received 11 55 p.m., May 31. Melbourne, May 81.

Mr Seldon continuing, said it was pleasing to see that ths steps taken in the direction of intercolonial preference would meet with the approval of the Imperial authorities. It would also lead up to preferential trade with the Mother Country. He also mentioned in this respect that tbe comparative tables he had prepared of New Zealand trade would, when published, prove an ofi»ot lesson to those who were eeeptioal and jeered at a sobeme of preferenes to Great Britain. With regard to Mr Churchill’s allusions to defenoe, he said the sooner someone told the British Government wbat was underlying the Australian desire respeoliDg naval protection the better. Daring a time of war it was feared the British Government would withdraw the 6quad ron from Australia, and leave her open to marauders. We in New Zealand had stipulated in our agreement that there should be at all timsß two warships in New Zealand. He bad been adversely criticised by the Imperial Minister of War, Lords of the Admiralty, and come Prime Ministe-s who attended the last Imperial Conference. He did not-' fear that Ans'ralia aud Zialand wou'd Buffer if left unprotected during a war. Mr Churchill's opinion oo colleotivist ideals was to him the most satisfactory feature of tbe speech, Government had some time ago expressed a wish that a member of the Royal Family and Mr Churchill should visit New Zealand about I exhibition time.