IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 102, 27 May 1909, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

■MOW ZEALAND'S UEPUKSENTATION. INFORMAL iIEKTINU OF PARLIAMENTARIANS. Tlie Premier lias wired to tlie members of the House of Representatives asking thnii to meet liini oil June 7th, at A p.m., in Parliament Buildings, to discuss tiie matter of New Zealand s representation at the forthcoming Imperial Defence Conference. " I iuive taken this step," the Premier wires, "the more readily liecause 1 believe all members recognise that the question of Imperial defence is one that rises above mere Parly interests or Party diU'erencc, ami that members at the meeting I have so convened will approach the consideration of the question that will be submitted to them in a. spirit of broad-minded and impartial patriotism. I may add in further explanation of the course 1 am now taking that the preliminaries which must this session precede any public business would in ordinary circumstances probably so long delay my ascertaining the will of Parliament upon the question 1 have outlined as to render niv attendance at the ConfereiiM' iinpussiDle.-'

MR. MASSES. INTERVIEWED. Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. On being interviewed to-night regarding tlie political situation, Mr. Massey said he-considered that New Zealand should be represented at the conference. but. in view of the important matters awaiting to be dealt with, lie held that Parliament should meet to transact its business in the ordinary way. He did not think it necessary that Sir Joseph Ward should go to the Conference, and lie suggested the fact that Mr, ITall .Tones and Sir Robert Stout were ill England, and the further fact that Colonel Davies was going, as a solution of the question of finding a suitable representative. As to the suggestion that lie (Mr. Massey) should go Home with Sir Joseph Ward, he had no opinion to express.