IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 112, 9 June 1909, Page 2

IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE

LOUD liOSEBEKY'S SPEECH. NEWSPAPER CUi'IK'ISM. TIIK COLONIES AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE. Received June 8, il.Ai ji.ui. London, June 8. Tim Manchester Guardian characterises the substance of Lord ltuseliery a speech as hollow nud unreal, uud says tiie effect will be iiillHinniutory. I't continues: "Mr. Deakin's oiler affords gratifying uvidejice of the sentiment of unity; but if the choice were ncuveen an Australian Dreadnought serving in the North Sea, and its equivalent value in the service in Australian waters, we ivould prefer the second alternative. " Australia contributes towards the defence of the North Sea she binds ua to an equivalent contribution to her defence in the moment, of danger." The Daily News says tlmt sooner or later such offers as the Australasian offers must niter the present system. If the colonies share tile burden of defence they must, says the News, possess the right to influence British policy. The Scotsman says the phase ot neglected duty in connection with Imperial defence was passing. Even stronger ■proofs than the words of the colonial journalists was furnished by the Australians' offer of a Dreadnought. The Glasgow Herald says the Junpir • can no longer afford to treat Imperial defence as a matter of purely Britannic concern. ' This optimism is encouraged by the promptitude with which Mr. Deakin reversed the. policy of his predecessor.

THE NAME OF CHAMBERLAIN APPLAUDED. INADEQUATE CABLE SERVICES. Received .June 8, 10.5 p.m. l/inciou, June 8. At the London Press Conference, Karl Minto, Viceroy of India, sent India's greetings. Casual mention of the name of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain provoked loud cheers, which were renewed when Mr. Austell Chamberlain suited Hint nothing struck his father more than the unit*', of thought nnd sentiment throughout ihe Empire upon the occasion H national rejoicings, when the overseas congrntiii lations were received immediately. Earl Crewe (Secretary of State for the Colonies) quoted figures to show the great number of words cubled of cricket compared with general news. It was 'possible that wireless telegraphy and the use of cables when otherwise unoccupied would provide u (iitrrnu lemony for the inadequate treatment of subjects ot greater importance. .Mr. Kyllin Thomas, of Adelaide, said it would greatly delight the Commonwealth if the next conference was held in Australia. Cheaper cable rates would enable the colonics to secure much fuller reports of the doings of h'omle-folk'.' He called attention to the poverty, ot colonial news in London papers, Regarding the Commonwealth's offer of a Dreadnought this, though one of the greatest subjects, of the hour, was given but four lines.

Mr.. Austen Chamberlain hoped tlic conference would not forget the pioneer work of the cable companies and treat them generously; but the companies must make up their minds that Mutinies were changing and fresh needs arising.

CABLE RA/TES. Received June 8, 10.20 p.m. London, June 8. Mr. Temperley, of New South Wales, advocated the All-Red route and the nationalisation of the Pacific cable. Mr. George Fvnwtck (New Zealand) said the Conference would be humiliated if the resolution already cabled were not adopted. The Postmaster-General said business men were reducing coding to a line art. This was impossible with press news; therefore the right to special rates should be granted in order to place, newspapers on tin equality with business men. -Mr. Buxton added that he anticipated the Conference had consulted the cable companies, who, he understood, were willing to consider a reduction of rates if assured of considerable additional matter. The amount spent on press telegrams at present was small compared with the total expenditure.

'IMPERIAL NEWS. 'A JtEDt'CnON' IX BATKS. Received 8, 11.40 p.m. Loudon, .luTie 8. Sir Hugh Cralinm proposed, und Ixinl Jforlteiiffe seconded. a resolution making the members of tile Conference 'l sta.ndi'ng committee to consider the question of an Imperial. new* service and (0 take .measures to secure a reduction in 'the rates. This was curried unanimously. STATEOWXEI) CABLES. The discussion on the resolution moved by Mr. Ross (Ottawa) in favor of State-owned cables; in the Atlantic and Pacific mas adjourned till the 23th. It Wtts pointed out that the two hours, set aside for file purpose, was totally inadequate for the proper discussion of the problem. THE liOr\"r> OF FESTIVITIES.

The Speaker presided at the House of Commons' luiklhou Mr. Asquitli (Premier). Mr. Ilaldane (Minister, for Uiti"), Sii Edward Grc.v (Minister for foreign Affairs), Lord Miliver, Lord Curzoli, and Lord Cromer were present. Mr. Birrell (Secretary for Ireland), in a humorous frpecch, proposed .the toast of "Our Guests."

Mr. Kinvin (Westralia) replied to the toaist.

I After listening to the Budget debate, the delegates and ladies motored to Marlborough .House, where the Prince antt' Princess, of Wales held a garden pnrtv m their honor. His' Majesty the King, the Queen, and the Prince" and I rnice.*, of Wales were present, as well firs representatives of the Press and other professions. In the evening Lord Beiihy Mr. Austin Chamberlain, the Hon. Harry Uwson, Mr. Moberlev Bell manager of the Times). Mr. Spmder (editor of the Westminster Gazette) Mr. Donald (editor of the Daily Chronicle) and Mr. Kennedy Jones '(director of the A-kociated Newspapers) rnterdil'ner * |MrtJ " ° f tJ ' P ,Ip|e K" t( ' 9 to a T/id!. t Tv lr i Is ' • thP ~<' l fS n les attended 1.-adi Sali.-burvs reception at Arlington Street, where there was „ brilliant gatlienng of politicians und aristocrats. PRESIDENCY OF THE DELEGATION'. „ „ _ _ London, June 7. t if' "• ' v . v ." ln Thomas, senior nartner Of the Evening Journal, Adelaide, has been appointed president of the whole of the delegation in addition to the chairmanship of the Australian delegation. °