THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 196, 28 November 1910, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

THE COMMONWEALTH RESOLUTIONS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, November -26. Amongst the subjects submitted to the Imperial Conference is international arbitration. The resolution asks the conference to recommend in a most emphatic manner the acceptance by all civilised nations of the principle of reference of international disputes to and their settlement by a properly constituted tribunal.

Regarding nationalisation of the Atlantic cable, the resolution recommends that this step be taken in order to cheapen and render more effective communication between Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and by thus acquiring complete control of all telegraphic and cable lines along an All-Red route.

The resolution dealing with commercial relations strongly the importance of promoting fuller development of commercial intercourse within the Empire, and that every* effort should be made to bring about co-operation in commercial relations and matters of mutual interest. Another resolution urges that in the interest* of the United Kingdom and the dominions beyond the seas, efforts in favor of British manufactures and British shipping should be supported as far as practicable. Another subject recommended for consideration is securing uniformity of the company laws of the Empire. The emigration resolutions ask the Imperial Government to co-operate with the colonies who desire immigrants in assisting suitable persons to emigrants. The naturalisation resolution asks each part of the Empire to make provision to facilitate naturalisation of persons who have been naturalised in any other part of the Empire. Mr. Deakin said he regretted that the Imperial Conference resolutions had not been submitted till the last day of the session. Such important "subjects needed, more consideration. He suggested the necessity of establishing a single Imperial Court of Appeal. Such court hould replace the Privy Counvil, and might, comprise judges from Australia, Canada and South Africa. Mr. Hughes promised to add this to the other suggestions. Mr. Deakin considered it was not sufficient that the conference should remain merely advisory. Provision should be made for following up closely the work of one conference until the next meeting. He urged the necessity of security unity on the question of Empire defence. Some central Imperial body was necessary io secur., this. He printed out how, in spite of herself, Australia was being forced in',o a foreign policy of her own with foreign interests and foreign risks around her on even side. A Pacific policy stm must have, and relations throughout the Pacific were of vital importance.

Sir William Lyne urge;l the necessity of keeping the secretarial proposal alive The self-governing colonics sm.iild be separated in their Imperial relations from the Crown colonies. Unity of defente was essential to the Empire.