IMPERIAL AFFAIRS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 84, 6 April 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL AFFAIRS.

COMMONER ALLEGES LACK OF W ORGANISATION. "COLONIAL OFFICE BLAMED.

'!"< London, April 4. ''Mr. Henry Page Croft, member for CJliristchurch, in the House of Commons, drew attention to the lack of organisation of Imperial affairs and the Government's failure to carry out the Imperial Conference proposals, including; preference. The Colonial Office had f.,ulcd to respond to the changing conditions of the times. - oMajor Archer-Shee, member. _ for Kinsbury, suggested sending trained expertsto the colonies and protectorr,|tes. The Government ought, he said, tp/iorm a subsidiary conference to deal wiith a State-owned Atlantic,cable. ilM'r. H. Samuel, Postmaster-General, replying, repeated what had been done way of,cable' reductions.' He adhered to the statement 1 that an Atlantic, cable would involve a 50 per Cent. loss. The House would be 111adv Med. tp l .press_ the Government to incur the' expenditure. _ M ( 'Mr. L. V. Harcourt, Colonial Secretary, said that the Government had taken definite action on the twelve subjects raised at the last conference, including copyright, patents, accident (johipensation, exhibitions, naturalisation,, revision of treaties, inforpement tm>\ 'Court judgments, commercial '.awards,, and wireless communications, ivjliile ;the Bill for strengthening the Appeal Courts would be reintroduced Mis session. .i"j|' ( 'The Times" states that the Opposition are surprised at the composition of the Commission. The Opposiiiipn consider that the Government has ryjt.adopted an understanding that the personnel of the Commission should be of; the first importance and impartial. TVcomplains that statesmen like Lord Grey and Lord Balfour of Burleigh .were not asked to join it. Several of those appointed were fiscal extremists or) insufficiently trained in trade and commerce.

;V" CANADIAN OPINION

; ']V, (Received 6, 8.5 a.m.) Ottawa, April 5. j ; Speaking at a banquet of delegates to'a conference to promote preferential trade with the West Indies, Mr Borden said the greatest problem was closer relation of the units of the Empire. ''Sir Wilfrid Laurier said all Canadian parties were desirous of promoting the' unity of the Empire.