THE EMPIRE'S PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 22 April 1907, Page 3

THE EMPIRE'S PARLIAMENT

STATUS OF VISITING MINISTERS.| >" London. April 10. Sir William Lyne again raised tiro question of the s.atus of the colonial Ministers at the Conference, intimating that he was dissatisfied, and that unless conceded the right to ircely intcrv#ne in discussion lie would probably withdraw. Although Sir Elgin desired ; .o adhere to the cabled limitations, Sir Wilfrid Laurier supported Sir W. Lyne's position, and it was ultimately decided that one colonial Minister besides the Premier should be allowed the fulle-x. rights of discussion. Sir W. Lyne thinks the Colonial Office aims at belittling the Coufeience. SIR DEAKIN AM) IMPERIAL FEDERATION. London, April 19. Mr Deakin denies advocating Imperial federation, he not believing 'that tile question is at present within the realm of practical politics. He insists that his attitude is to maintain the conference absolutely on its present basis. „ The Daily Telegrapn says the whole is a mystery with negative results. The result of two sittings is that, while the timid representatives are not afraid that the adoption of advanced proposals will be beyond the desires of their peoples, yet thejr are afraid that 'they MMMabBjFMd the desires of 'the party bosses, who are not moved by enthusiasm for the Empire.

FUTURE CONSTITUTION OF CONFERENCE. ESTABLISHED. Received 22' 1.14 a.m. London, April 21. The question of the future constitution of the Conference was settled aftei three days' discussion by the adoption of the following resolution, which Loid Elgin moved, in substance, after debate* on the resolutions submitted by the Commonwealth, Cape Colony, and Xew Tfnianrf relative to the establishment of an Imperial Council had revealed the Hum of possible agreement: "That it will be to the advantage of the Empire if a conference, called ; the Imperial Conference,' is held every four years to discuss and consider questions of common interest between H.JL Government and H.M. Governments of the self-governing ; dominions, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to be ex-officio president; Prime Ministers of the ; self-governing dominions and theSecretary of State for the Colonies ' ex-officio members, the last-named 1 the in the absence of the president, also arranging for a conference, after consultation; with the respective Premiers and such other Ministers as the respective Governments may appoint to be also members of the Conference, it being understood that, except by special per--1 mission of the Conference, discussion be conducted by not more than two representatives from each Government, each Government having only one vote. That it is desirable to establish a system enabling the Governments represented to be informed between Conferences regarding matters which have been or may be subjects for discussion, by means of a permanent secretariat staff, charged, under the direction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with the duty of obtaining information for the use of the Conference, also attending to resolutions and conducting correspondence. 1 "Should matters of importance arise between two or more Governments which cannot be postponed until next Conference, or involving

subjects of a minor character, or re- \ quiring detailed consideration, a subv Conference shall be held bem tween chosen representatives of the Governments concerned."