IMPERIAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 18 May 1907, Page 2

IMPERIAL UNITY.

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN PROPOSALS. DO THEY COINCIDE? Received 18th, 12.23 a.m. Melbourne, May 17. Mr. Groom, Federal Attorney-Ucneral, characterised the statements reported to have been made at Wellington by the lion. Mr. Fowlds as certainly most remarkable. Perhaps Mr. Fowlds will realise when Jut gets closer in touch with Sir Joseph Ward that there is a closer identity of aim between him and Mr. Deakin than lie appears to have any idea of at present. Australia never attempted to dictate what shall be the policy of Britain, but Australians always have, and hope always will have, no hesitation in stating what their beliefs an ideas on matters of linpeial concern, which directly or indirectly affect Australia are. Received 18th, 12.2:1 a.m. Melbourne May 17.

Mr (irooin continuing, said as regards the statement that if the policy adopted by the Australian Prime Minister is said to be eontiued, a party in favor of severance from the colonies will grow up, all I can say is that any action taken by the Australian Ministers lias been inspired by the loftiest ideals and thoughts for unity of the Empire. The general trend of Sir \V. Lync's views is in accord with the ideas and rtatcraents of the vast majority of the people in Australia. The allegation that he was an uninvited guest to the Conference is absolutely baseless and would probably be relented by the Imperial authorities themselves. No matter what may be said as regards the following of Mr Deakin the fact remains that he as Prime Minister when be Mt Our shores, possessed the full confidence of the Australian people. The only explanation of Mr. Fowlds' extraordinary remarks is they have, arisen from preconceived opinions and want of knowledge of Australian conditions.