NEXT COLONIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 97, 2 August 1910, Page 5

NEXT COLONIAL CONFERENCE

OPINION OF "THE TIMES." By Cable.—Press Asaociatic-n.—Copyright j Received August 1,10.10 p.m. I London, August 1. I Commenting, on the Blue Book and the [new South Wales Premier's claim to separate representation at the Imperial [Conference wherewith Tasmania and Queensland are associated, the Times [endorses Lord Elgin's despatch, setting it down for February 17, 1911, but doubts whether a considerable body of Australian opinion supports the States' claim. The Canadian provinces and the South African colonies expressed a desire to remit the conference business to the Union Government. It was desirable that similar recognition of essential units should animate the Australian States.

The Times add* that a clear rearrangement of the Colonial Office had not evoked the Dominions' enthusiasm. Mr. Deakin's ideal secretariat would be rediscussed in 1011, and probably the High Commissioners would be assigned a more definite place in the transaction of business between the Home Government and the dominions. While there •was much cloudy talk about a further development of comprehensive federative principles within the Empire, the real trend seemed towards making the development an official rather tlnan a Parliamentary organisation. The dominions' criticisms and suggestions appeared to trend in that direction.

The Times commends the work of the British Trade Commissioner and Commercial correspondents. An allowance of 10,000 sterling was very inadequate for such vital objects.