LATE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 8 June 1907, Page 5

LATE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

TIMES' REVIEW OF THE PROCEEDINGS.

~,. „. London, Juno (!. Hie limes reviewing tlie Blue Book says the most important, though not the most actual subject, was the future constitution of the Conference, in other words, of the Empire itself. Mr Deakm and other advanced Imperialists were anxious to create a Secretariat, which however small in the beginning, would be really Imperial. Lord Elgin and Sir ~ '' r,l , d . Laurisl ' Sllw ou 'y the practical difficulties and dangers inherent to the creation of an office not directlv under a responsible Minister. The whole motive of the proposal lay in the fact that the Colonial Secretary was not responsible to Canada nr Australia l'l, f „iijeetion urged again.t the proposal was perfectly sincere, yet it really was an objection to any form of Imperial partnership. The discussion on preference was by far the most actual subject, and suggests one clear conclusion, namely, that a constructive Imperialism is rapidly shaping itself with a concrete and practical policy. It was doubtful if Mr Asquith had eve been ro freely ami effectively heckled, or so glaJ 'o e'siape r.in a -.igl.t corner in debate.

Other newspapers in support, of respective standpoints, largely- comment :i----the discussions between Mr Asijuith and Mr Dcakin.