THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8783, 10 April 1907, Page 2

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

The Question of President,

Press Association —Copyright. April 9. Tiie Times in a leader urges that much can bo done in the coming Conference to bring nearer the ideal of union. It considers that equality can be granted in the domain of consultation forthwith.' Sir H. Cairip-bcil-Baunerman is tlio only person able properly to preside at the opening of the gathering of Imperial Prime Ministers. That the Prime Ministers of the Empire should be presided over by a Departmental Minister is a direct negation of the principle of equality of status, and a direct subordination of the colonies to a British Department. It is true that Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman is busy, but other Prime Ministers arc equally busy, yet came from the ends of the earth. Sir H. CampbellBannerman 's absence will create an unfortunate impression, all the more as tlio one practical result the colonics desire to achieve—preferential trade— is liardly likely to be realised, at any "rate extensively, on the'prcsont occasion,.

The Standard says it is but due to the sacricfie made by the Colonial visitors and the magnitude of tho mission that the chair should be taken by Sir H. Campbell-Banner-rnan, who could not be surpassed in the gift of graceful rhetoric and skill in guiding debate. Moreover, a section of the Radicals regard Lord Elgin's Imperial prepossessions with increasing disfavour whilo Sir Henry Campbell-Baunerman retains their unqualified confidence. Ur Deakin Interviewed. Reports of an interview with Mr Deakin state that he recognised the generosity cf the British during Australia's incubation, which had now left her free from official supervision. Australia would be the last to consent to its renewal or its application to others. The Conference was the recognition that the colonies were not directly represented in the Council of the Empire, but were at 'last entitled to be consulted in matters of common concern. Its success was guaranteed before its opening owing to the manner in ; which public attention in Britain and the colonies had • been f ocussed upon it. Its purpose was to think Imperially with practical results. Discussion on the merits of the New Hebrides Convention was unlikely, but the extraordinary mode of making it woule be discussed. Questioned witn regard to the viows of the Colonial Office as to the representation of the Australian States at the Conference he declined to express an opinion on the attitude of the S'4ate Governments as to their uon-inclusion. Z