THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43083, 23 April 1907, Page 4

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

This is surely an epoch-making age. The children of the British Empire, even the unruly and disobedient, are sitting ini solemn conclave, presided over by the representative of the British Parliament with the Premier art

his elbow 'acting as Mentor; and! the King hastening to take with friendly grip the hands stretched from far afctross thie Sea, from the distant and scattered Colonies, each carving out its own peculiar destiny in its own peculiar Way. lit Was feared that the Liberal’s colonial policy would be such as to unduly drcaimscrihe the operations of 'the 'Conference and to limit its powers, and decrease its usefulness. But up to th'e present there has been eVerv indication that Sir Henry Cam,p-bell-Biannerm an and his colleagues recognise the great power that underlies the gathering together of the representatives of England’s 'great selfgoverning colonies. Sir O'. Barnierman has said that this was not a conference between the Premiers, but ai confer etnce with the British Government under the presidency of the Secretary

of State for the Colonies, whiScih Was

a very different mat,ter. The view some times taken of the proper relations of the colonies to the Motherland respecting expenditure on armaments entirely ‘was somewhat modified. It was possible to over-estimate the importance of requirements for over'sea dominions as a factor of our expenditure, but the cost of naval defence and the responsibility for the conduct of foreign, affairs would hang - together. Respecting emigration the matter wnls of utmost moment to the colonies and the Motherland. The

eulogies passed M r the visiting. Premiers at Sir Campbell’s weightv words showed that they were appreciated to

the full, and though our Premier recognised that there were difficulties ahead he thought that a conference of

men of ripened judgment might re-

move those difficulties. There w"as a desire, a strong desire, among all classes of the Motherland to draw the Empire closer. With th© details of the important matters to be discussed it Would be premature to hazard an opinion except it he that, on the question of preference there will probaiblv be the greatest conflict Of opinion. Sir Campbell-Bannerman, has significantly stated that Great Britain claimed free-

dom to do what she considered best in, the interests of her own people, and Conceded a similar freedom to the colonies. “The Imperial Government,” said Sir Henry, “Cannot go behind the declared intention of tliis country and Parliament, and no more Can the Premiers go behind the intentions and wishes of their communities and Parliaments.” It is sincerely to be hoped that the conference will be productive of much good, and the efforts already being made to secure a continuity of its 'being and its influence adds considerably to its importance.

Atfc the last meeting of the Coromandel County Council applications for rid to prospecting were recommended follows :—'Class I.: W. Egan and a ate and D. Kirkwood. Class 11. W. F. McNeill and J. Allen (300 ft of driving in the Advance Claim). Reports on prospecting operations were received rom W. McNeill, G. Lindsay, and J. I>. Regan. M3r Jaimes brought up the nuestion of the acquisition by the Government of native lands in the Coromandel County for settlement. The hairmam stated that the Government had intimated that Mr J. Mackay had ’ veen instructed to negotiate with the r ntives, and’ particulars of the various blocks had been! furnished by the Fork. It was resolved that- al letter he written requesting that the business should fe expedited. t