THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2052, 12 April 1907, Page 3

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

LONDON, April 10. Tho Pall Mall Gazette says the Premiers are entitled to meet Sir H. C. Bannermnn. They claim tho status of partners and equals, and have not crossed the seas to participate in Oxford Union debates, to be summed up in an amicably deprecatory key by the Colonial Secretary. Home Padicals have not noticed the proTho colonies are intent on a closer gross of events in the outer Empire, alliance and co-operation, and if the Government treated that ambition indifferently can still draw a closer union among themselves. . Preference is the key to identity of interests and the secret of amity. The visiting Premiers consider that Sir H. C. Banuerman ought to preside .but the matter is entirely °. n ? or 1 lomo Government’s decision.

COLONIAL INSTITUTE. LONDON, April 10. Dr .Hackott. of AVestralia, read a paper before tho Colonial Institute, on some Federal tendencies in Australia. Ho pointed out that federation had not secured the preponderance mf; sympathy and popular approver that one expected. Mnnv who were once sanguine believers considered federation a mistake, and the experiment premature, the results of which, financial, political, and federal, were more than doubtful, yet despite dissatisfaction one could hardly doubt there was a general conviction not only that federation had come to stay, but the time had arrived when tho position and needs of Australia imperatively demanded all the strength and support that such a union of six States can give. Though secession was feasible bv means of passive resistance, he did not believe it would he resorted to, because the real grievances would, be redressed and disagreements amicably arranged. He regretted that Australia’s best qualified men abjured Federal administration .and that there was a division of the House of -Representatives into so many independent sections. He referred to tho serious difficulties resulting from the granting of equal bi-cameral power's (lopularsing the Senate, which may lead -to momentous .result. and may alter the whole face of State politics. It may go a long way towards unification of Australia and may mortally wound responsible government as hitherto practised. He touched on questions of local self-defence, white Australia, and elective Ministers.

Sir Joseph AVard said New Zealand was proud of her Australian neighbors. but was happy to bo independent of the anxieties' affecting Australia. Though some clogging . f tho Federal machinery was unavoidable, the people of Australia were determined to overcome their difficulties. He expressed a strong hope that no British colonies would over give effect to the ide<i of an elective executive. He regarded with satisfaction conference of representatives of the colonics, friendly, fearlessly and determinedly advocating views which were delivered for the good of the Empire, and with a desire to solve Imperial problems.

Sir AV. Lyne said the dissatisfaction of the States was mainly in the minds of politicians. The legislation had been progressive, perhaps too progressive for the people of Britain, but they in tho Commonwealth wore' no less British than those living in Britain.

Mr. Deakin declared that the allegations as to the Commonwealth’s loss of popularity arose from confusion. He thought the objectors did not object to federation out of the legislation which federation had given. If they had a choice between the earlier internecine strife and federation under present conditions there would be a larger majority in favor of federation. He prophesied that protection would shortly have i sweeping majority in New South Wales. Australia was a young and impatient nation, but hitherto every legislative step was a step forward. If anything Federation came rather too late than, too early.