PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3763, 18 April 1907, Page 3

PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

The King’s Message. London, April 16. The Imperial Conference has opened. The King sent a message welcoming the representatives. He hoped the Conference would have good results in the interests of the Empire. Lord Elgin, British Colonial Secretary, presided. Sir Henery Campbell-Bannerman welcomed the representatives. He said he was confident the important matters involving differences of opinion would be approached with a recognition that the will of the people of each part of the Empire must be paramount. The Conference would find that his colleagues would join in the freest discussion of the important matter of preference and the British Government would carefully consider any decision the Conference Slight come to. He was delighted with the assurance of Mr Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade, that the Navigation Conference would have good results. Mr Deakin, Premier of Australia, said he was sure Sir Henry Campbell - Bannerman’s remarks would be read with interest in Australia. All were anxious to cement the ties of Empire, and it would be disappointing if undue secrecy was observed. Sir Joseph Ward said the spirit shown by Sir Henry CampbellBannerman was exceedingly gratifying. The Navigation Conference had showed that discussion enabled the apparently hopeless questions to be satisfactorily settled. If the colonies were exempted from Home party conflicts it would be possible to evolve a policy of continuity which would strengthen the Empire. Lord Elgin, in taking the chair, hoped that good work would be accomplished by the Conference* Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman declared the British Government was anxious to promote the well-being of the colonies. As the colonies themselves did, Britain claimed freedom to do what she considered best in the interests of her own people. She would concede similar freedom to the colonies. The Imperial Government could not go behind the declared intentions of Great Britain and Parliament. “ No more can the Premiers,” he continued, ‘‘go behind the intentions and wishes of their communities and Parliaments.” Referring to defence, he said: —“We do not get you as claimants for money, although we cordially recognise the spirit in which the contributions were made in the past.” He continued, “ There is room for agreement and advance on many subjects.” He considered the meeting of Premiers was valuable, and acknowledged Sir Joseph Ward’s and Sir William Lyne’s valuable work on the Navigation Conference. He deeply regretted Mr Chamberlain’s illness Melbourne, Yesterday. Sir John Forrest cabled to Mr Deakin and his colleagues expressing the fervent hope that the Conference would assist in promoting an increase of trade and commerce and among British people, the maintenance of British supremacy on the sea, and closer union in a bond of loyalty and affection of the British race throughout the world.