THE EMPIRE'S PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 15 April 1907, Page 3

THE EMPIRE'S PARLIAMENT

THE QUESTION OF PREFERENCE. London, April 12. Lord Evelyn Cec'l enquired whetlfcer the Government would give effect toj tilfl resolution of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Sir H. Campbell-' Bannerman replied that preferential trade occupies a prominent place the subjects for discussion at the conference. The Westminster Gazette declare* the Government cannot consent to changes in the basis ot the fiscal system. Sir Henry Campbelt-Bannerman state* that British Ministers will attend tuc Conference when the business ailed!their department. The announcement of Sir IT. tainpbcilBanuerman addressing the Conference at opening lias been received with general satisfaction.

COLONIAL REI'I!ESENTATIYES' MOVEMENTS. rKE.MIF.RS DESIRE TRESS ADilllTED TO CONFERENCE. REPRESENTATIONS BY MR UE.Us.IN Received 14, 4.40 p.m. London, April 13. Mr. Deakin and Mr. Huglies were entertained at luncheon by the editor of the Daily Chronicle at the National ■liberal Club to meet a dozen editors ol liberal newspapers. Sir. Deakin, speaking on behalf ot tut Colonial Premiers, strongly urged Lord Elgin to admit the Press to the Imperial Conference. He declared the 1 iemiere did not leave their posts for tour months to sit with closed doors, and keep their constituents ignorant. PREMIERS EDINBURGH CXI-

, gIR JOSEPH WARD HONORED. 'j Received 14tli, 4.40 p.m. London, April 13. Edinburgh University conferred the honorary degree of Doctorsliip of Laws On Sir Joseph Ward, Dr. Jamiesou (Premier of the Cape), and Mr. F. R. Moor (Premier of Natal). Dean Gray, in conferring the degrees, remarked that Sir J. G. Ward's dominant characteristics were perseverance, energy and rare business capacity. SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. WHAT THE COLONIES CONSIDER IS WANTED.

Received 14th, 5.13 p.m. London, April 13. Three thousand persons in McEwans Hall witnessed the conferring of the degress, amidst great enthusiasm. At the University Union's banquet, Sir Joseph Ward declared that personally he was very hopeful that the historical conference would prove resultful. It was almost an insult to aiu - thing else. If nothing was achieved, there would soon be no necessity for the Conference. Referring to the creation of an Advisory Imperial Council, lio urged that some body was necessary to assist in the settling of great matters of Imperial and Colonial concern during the intervals between the Conferences. Unless the Motherland and the Colonics •woke up, stood shoulder to shoulder, and acted simultaneously and vigorously, they would be unable to obtain an increase of their present trade, owing to the fact of the persistent efforts of subsidised foreign competitors. He admitted that great delicacy was necessary in Sealing with the naval defence problem, but the necessities of the Empire demanded united, practical action in order to prepare in times of peace an absolutely effective organisation for war. (Great applause.)

AN AID TO IMPERIAL UNITY. jCHEiU? PRESS CABLING FACILITIES ADVOCATED BY LONDON TIMES. Received 14th, 5 p.m. r Lomlon, April 13. The Times, in a special article indicating general lines of approach towards Imperial Unity, advocated the vei> cheapest, if not free, Press cabling faeiiities for the Colonies as the most essential prerequisites to any advance in the direction of Imperial partnership. 'ARRANGEMENOS FOR THE CONFERENCE. COLONIAL PREMIERS DISSATISFIED INSIST ON PUBLICITY OF PROCEEDINGS. MATTER TO BE LEFT FOR CONFERENCE DECISION. Received 15th, 12.13 a.m. ■ London, April 13. Sir Francis nop wood, Permanent Secretory of the Board of Trade, states that ihe Press will be excluded from the opening of the Imperial Conference. •Which itself will determine the subsequent procedure. ' It is believed that Sir 11. Campbe" Bannerman will merely formally wvicome the Premiers and make non-com-mittal reference to the programme, leaving Lord Elgin to conduct the proceedings. The Premiers are very dissatisfied jritli the arrangements. •Mr. Deakin warmly advocates the fullest publicity, urging it with regard to almost all the questions to be discussed. He has written to Sir H. Campbell-Ti.m-Herman protesting against secrecy, and insists upon at least a pretty full precis of the results, disclosing the sentiments of the different speakers. Lord Elgin hopes that fifteen sittings, extending to May 8, will be sufficient to get through the business, though this is considered doubtful.

NEW HEBRIDES' CONVENTION'. Received 15th. 12.27 p.m. jr- • London, April le. ' Mr Dcakin and Sir .Joseph Ward luve received no invitation to appoiiu repiesentatives on any Angio-I'rench committee to consider salaries and cond tions of service of officials of the joint couit iu connection with the New Hebrides Convention. Tliey are rather disposed not to assume any responsibility in the matter, since they were not consulted. Mr Deakin raises the whole question at the Imperial Conference at the earliest opportunity, including French steamers conveying intoxicants to the Group. BOTHA AND LAURIER ARRIVE. Received 15th, 1.11 a.m. London, April 14. Mr. Louis Botha, Premier of the Transvaal, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canadian Premier, have arrived to attend the Conference.