THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 11 April 1907, Page 3

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

WHY TIIE BRITISH PREMIER SHOULD PRESIDE. THE COLONIES' CLAIMS TO PARTNERSHIP. imperial uxityt oh severance.

London, April 9. The limes, in a leader, urges that - much can he done at the coming Con--1 fcreuce to bring nearer an ideal, and 1 considers that equality can be granted in tie domain of conciliation fortir : w tli. Sir 11. Campbcll-Baniierman is I the only person able to properlv preside , at the opening of a gathering of imperial Prime .Ministers. That the Prime Ministers of the Empire -iiould be presided over by a departmental Minister (Lord Elgin, Secretary of State for. the Colonies) is a d reet negation of the principles of the equality status and a direct subordination of the colonies to a British department. U is true that Sir 11. C.inipbell-Bannerman is busy, but other Prime Ministers are equally busy, yet come to the ends of the earth. B?.'fl. Campbeil-B.innernian's absence will, the Tiny.'s urges, create an unfortunate imprflsion. all tiie more as the one practical result of the colonies' desire to „,iiieve preferential trade is hardly likely to be realised, at any rate extensively, on the present occasion. Tile first, of a series of articles entitled ''The Conference and Imperial Unity," appears in the Times, with a sub-heading "The Fundamental Issue the Severance of the Partnership." The writer contends that the key universally applicable to (he, solution of existing difficulties must be sought ill the constitutional posit'On of the colonies, which now feel themselves to be nations, brought into the arena of the world's politics; hence the United Kingdom's monopoly of political power and privilege in all foreign and Imperial questions, natural enough in the eolo- ' nies' infant days, has now become in- ' tolerable. He predicts that the indus- , trial development of the colonies will call for extension of influence over the, ' tropics and for the sea power necessary ; to maintain it. Imperial unity is the keystone of the arch enabling the Empire to withstand all dangers, and it can only be preserved by the admission of the colonies to a partnership on Lord Milner's lines, cabled on the 14tli December, based on equality of the political , status.

The Standard says: "It was but due to the colonial visitors' sacrifice and the magnitude of their mission that tch chair, wollid have been taken I>y (fir H. Cain]})e!l-Bannerman, who could not have been surpassed in the gift of graceful rhetoric, and the skilful guiding of debate. Moreover,, a section of the Radicals regard Lord Elgin's Imperial prepossesions with increasing disfavor, while Sir 11. Campbcll-Bannerman retains their unqualified confidence. Mr Deakin, interviewed by thirty reporters, said he recognised the generosity of the British during Australia's incubation. She was not free of official supervision, and Australia would be the last to consent to its renewal or its application to others. The Conference was a recognition that the colonies were not- directly represented in the councils of the Empire, but were at least entitled to be in matters of common concern. Its success before the opening was owing to the manner public attention here and in the colonies had been focussed upon it. Its purpose was to think imperially, with practical results. Discusion on its merits of the Hebrides Convention was unlikely, but the extraordinary mode of making the Convention would be discussed. Having regard to Australia's representations to the Colonial Office, he declined to express an opinion as to the attitude of the States' Governments on their non-inclusion. • FURTHER NEWSPAPER DIRECTIONS. Received 10th, 0.28 p.m. London, April 10. The Chronicle strongly urges Sir IT. Campbell-Banncrinan to assume the general presidency of the Imperial Conwltieli, in perfect but rudimentary fain, is an Imperial parliament. TRUE IMPERIAL CITIZENSHIP. TIME RIPE Vol! ITS CREATION. Deceived lltli, 12.23 a.m. London, April 10. Mr. Deakin. in an interview, said l ? hoped the Conference wouid tend toward the creation of true Imperial citizenship. The time was riper than 'ever before for the Conference to accomplish excellent work. The public, both political parties, and the Press were all more sympathetic to its aims. The intervals between the Conferences were too long, and pressure of work too severe, resulting in much work of the greatest importance being left untouched and uncompleted.