IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8810, 11 May 1907, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Press Association—Copyright. . London, May 10,

Referring to uniformity of naturalisation, Mr Gladstone suggested further inquiry by means of a subsidiary conference, and this wa3 approved. Mr Gladstone hinted that anyone naturalised after five year's residence in England might be entitled to enter any portion of the Empire. Sir Joseph Ward recorded a reservation to the offeot that New Zealand would not agree to any Imperial Act interfering with }he colony's power to prevent aliens, especially coloured, entering New Zealand, which it was intended to keep a white man's land, but otherwise was ready to assent to Mr Gladstone's motion. Mr Gladstone admitted that the point was important, and he would endeavour to provide that in certain oases the local legislntion of self-governing colonies should ! be supreme. M Sir Joseph Ward's instance it was resolved that in view of the social, political, material, and commercial advantages .accruing from the systems of international penny postage the Conference recommends to the British Government the advisability of, if and when suitable opportunity occurs, approaching Governments of other States belonging to the Postal Union in order to obtain further reduction of postage rates in view of moro general or, if possible, universal adoption of the penny rate. He feared that some fine morning they would awake and find America and France, or America and Germany had entered into a subsidiary agreement for penny postage. He urged Mr Buxton to be ready for a reform which nrast come.

The Surtax Proposal.

Mr Lloyd George said Mr Deakin's proposals differed from Mr Hoffmeyer'e and Sir G. S. Clarke's, since Imperial defence was an essential part of their scheme. Owing to the Motherland's large expenditure on tho navy, and the small colonial contribution, obviously more could bo said in favour of a scheme for applying the fund partly for the purposes of defence, instead of solely for the purpose of improving inter-communication. Personally he thought the proposal unbusinesslike, unfair, unjust, and inequitable. He contrasted the United Kingdom's approximate contribution of 31>£ millions with Australia's £IOO,OOO, New Zealand's £20,000, Canada's £400,000, Newfoundland's £SOOO, Cape Colony's £40,000, Natal's £35,000, or a total of £590,000 for all the autonomous colonies. Thus the United Kingdom was asked £7 10s for every pound paid by all the autonomous colonios together. It was also unfair to ask Canada to pay fourfold as much as Australia. It would he thoroughly unsatisfactory to - create a fund first and then consider how to spend it. . Mr Deakin interjected that there would be no compulsion upon the Legislatures, who were perfectly at liberty to control their own contribution. The impulse of a common Imperial fund would be a valuable instead of a haphazard arrangement between a few units of the Empire. Mr Deakin characterised Mr Lloyd George's speech as a preposterous pretence. Sir Wilfrid Laurier suggested the adjournment of the discussion. Sir Joseph Ward said that while sympathising with Mr Deakin's aims as to preferential trading he was not friendly towards the surtax system. Now Zealand some years ago tried a surtax of 3}£ per cent but experience proved unfavourable to the tax and it was soon repealedr The sum of £30,000 did not represent New Zealand's sharo in the Imperial and colonial system of co-operation. He hesitated to commit New Zealand to.a possible surtax being increased to -ly, per cent or higher and preferred tho system whereby England would provide half a million in order to assist mail lines and other things upon the understanding that the colonies subscribed their proportion. Everyone would then know the extent of his liability. He suggested that the British Government and the colonies should give their cable work to the Pacific Company if it reduced its charges to Is per word, if the Eastern Extension Company did the same, then the work ought to be divided, the companies being guar- . anteed against loss. The Cape's resolution relative to Imperial cable communications was passed. A propos the Cape's resolution deal- ' ing with the double income tax Mr Asquith said it was impossible to alter . the present British system. Tho change proposed would sap the whole basis of the existing system. ' Mr Asquith consented to Australian mines undertaking the. coinago of their own silver and retaining the

net profits which averaged £30,000 a year. He said the Treasury would bear the cost of returning worn gold coins from the colony. Sir Joseph Ward asked that a similar concession be extended to New Zealand if desired and Mr Asquith agreed. The conference decided to publish

its proceedings as early as possible, subject to necessary revisions and omissions.

Ancient History from Deafcin. Mr Deakin moved resolutions referring to islands in tho Pacific and sketched.the..history of the. subject for 25 years. He denied that Australia was greedily grasping after territory and said Australia steadily resisted the loss of the islands, some of which had been actually included In the British dominions. Australia from the first had urged that tho islands should be brought definitely under British jurisdiction but the remote and unsympathetic attitude of the Colonial Office allowed numbers to slip through their fingers. Mr Deakin traced the proceedings of the New Hebrides Convention step by step and referred to Mr. Churchill's misleading reply to the House of Commons. He mercilessly analysed the Colonial Office's policy in affirming the Convention behind tho backs of Australia and New Zealand without their being either represented or consulted. Mr Deakin continuing referred ,to the effect the completion of the Panama Canal would have upon the future of the Pacific.

Sir Joseph Ward concurred with the resolution and reviewed the loss of Samoa, declaring that America and Germany would not have occupied their present position had New Zealand's advice been taken. He explained that New Zealand now controlled a considerable number of the Pacific Islands and was keenly alive to the importance of the British Government taking a warmer interest in tho protection of British interests in the Pacific which was becoming a much busier ocean than previously expected. Tho development of trade- between Canada and Australasia was increasing yearly. The completion of the Panama Canal would alter the whole face of the Pacific. Sir Joseph Ward insisted on Australia aud New Zealand's right to be consulted before the conclusion of conventions relating to the Pacific because they alone were aware of the special conditions and circumstances importantly affecting tho questions. The resolutions were recorded after Lord Elgin had expressed regret at the New Hebrides misunderstanding and hopp,d that nothing of the sort would occur in the future. The Conference adjourned until Tuesday when it will possibly finish.

Tea With The King

The Premiers and their ladies will attend the King's tea party to-day and will be shown over Buckingham Palace and grounds. The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Connaught will assist in™ entertaining them. - The King asked Sir Joseph Ward to convey a message to New Zealand when he returns. Sir Gilbert Parker gave a banquet to the Premiers. The Times pays a high tribute to Mr Deakin's immense services at the Imperial Conference. . The Daily Chronicle expresses the hope that If Sir Wi Laurier submits a concrete scheme and'other colonies awprove, the imperial Government will not hesitate to contribute its share towards guaranteeing a fast line of steamers between Britain and Halifax, Nova ; Scotia.