THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2082, 17 May 1907, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Press Association —Copyright. THE FINAL SITTING. LONDON, May 10., At the final sitting of the imperial Conference, Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved a vote of thanks to Lord Elgin, expressing warm and sincere appreciation of his presidency, thanking him for many courtesies, and desiring to place on record the deep sense of gratitude the colonial representatives felt for the generous hospitality- of the Government and peo—plo of the Motherland. Mr. Deakin seconded the motion, expressing a hope that the-next conference would be held when Parliament was not sitting and London season not hold. He trusted the secretariat would keep tho colonial Governments fully informed about all matters prior to tho- delegates starting.

Eord Elgin replied that, twelve Cabinet Ministers had hccui attending tho sitting and participating in the discussions, so tho conference had really been a conference of tho Governments. He considered a great advance had been made upon previous conferences, and believed from the standpoint of business tho conference had been largely successful. The Premiers, at the close, dined with Lord Elgin. WORK OF THE CONFERENCE. PRESS OPINIONS. LONDON, May 13., The Times says that whatever the future historian’s verdict may be on the particular issue of the conference, its general purport will he to dwell on the conference of 1907 as a remarkable illustration of the powerfijujl influence of such gatherings in the formation of public opinion, and to insist on the moral effects of the conference, which has now become an institution, destined like other British institutions to grow. The allBritish route via Canada to Australasia is a subject demanding expert examination, but the plan ought not to be adopted or rejected on mere considerations of profit or loss. In certain contingencies the routo might be of strategic importance. Our experience, as also that of Italy and Germany, are that few things contribute more powerfully and directly to consolidating national sentiment than easy and constant communication.

The Standard says that everything else pales beside the Government wooden imaginative determination to take no steps conceivably promoting commercial federation of the Empire, hut the leaven is working, and the attitude lias~ made a profound impression on the Motherland.

The Daily Telegraph say-s Mr. Dea.kin was the central figure of tlio Conference. He will return and tell his own people that though he has not secured all he desired for them, he has accomplished much, perhaps more than he exp-cted when he

sailed. The Morning Rost finds that the words of the resolution, “within reasonable cost,” offer a loophole for Ministerial escape from practical action. The Post contrasts Sir Joseph Ward’s enlightened energy- and far-sightedness in advocating shipping subsidies as a potent means of Imperial consolidation, with Mr. Lloyd George’s emphasising of difficulties without expressing any eiLthusiastic desire to overcome them. - The Daily Chronicle says the principle of an all-Red route has (been accepted. As regards the general work of the Conference, if Lord Elgin constitutes the secretariat and strongly sets it to work promptly, the Conference will be a success from a business standpoint. The Daily- News says the Conference was a memorable one of practical concern and achievement. It has given the Conference a definite and regular practice in the work of the Empire, and created a secretariat which ought to help the Motherland equally with the colonies ill. the matter of information. The Daily- News say-s it is glad Mr.. George was careful not to commit himself regarding a fast mail service, and adds: “Subsidies aiid bounties would not be so bad asj a protective tariff, but they, are unsound.. Discrimination is unfair between different firms and different industries, and why should the taxpayer subsidise one firm rather than another., or one industry rather than another?”

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY". LONDON, May 10. I Mr. Deakin raised the question of I the Wireless Telegraphy Convention. Mr. Buxton explained the position. I of tile colonies in tile matter, declarI ing their interests were adequately I protected. He confidently expected I the colonies woud receive votes at I the next conference on the analogy ! of the Postal Convention. NEWFOUNDLAND. LONDON, May lot Sir R. Bond read a statement as I to the Newfoundland fisheries. Lord Elgin informed Sir R. Bond that he was unable to assist Newfoundland. It is reported that Sir R. Bond angrily retorted that the British Government were neglecting Newfoundland for tlio sake of American industries. It was a gross humiliation to a colony which was not powerful enough to give effect to its resentment. The Colonial Premiers sympathise with Sir R. Bond.