The Navigation Conference.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43089, 7 May 1907, Page 2

The Navigation Conference.

BANQUET TO DELEGATES

(By Telegraph —Press Association.)

LONDON, Yes lord a

Mr Ll»yd George banqueted the Navigation Conference delegates at the S ivoy Hotel. Sir Joseph War I, proposing Mr L'oyd George’s he dth paid a high tiihute tu his presidency, aud firmly believed that as an outcome the various governments would find a basis whence they all c mid work. He emphasized the importance of lowering the Suez Canal rates for vessels carrying perish able produce, and the cheapening of cable rates to Australia and New Zealand to sixpence, or at the most, a shilling per word. Mr Lloyd George, replying, thought the results of the Conference admirable. Sir Joseph Ward’s suggestion had greatly impressed the Government, which was giving them the deepest consideration, and he hoped to be able to give a satisfactory answer before the Premiers left. As the suggestions could be carried out quite consistently with the Government’s pledges of policy, he failed to see why the Imperial Government could not join the colonies in lessening the burden on British ships traversing the Canal. He would be surprised if something ccmld not be done to get- Sir Joseph Ward’s proposal carried into effect.