THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 306, 20 May 1911, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

COMMONWEALTH DELEGATES. 1 i CRITICISED BY THE PRESS. 1 __ i By Cable—Press Association—Copyright 1 London, May 18. '■ The Pall Mall Gazette, complimenting ' Sir George Reid on yesterday's striking : reception, says that as Labor Ministers : Messrs Fisher, Bachelor and Pearce enlisted the curiosity and interest of all politicians. What struck one about 1 Mr. Fisher and his colleagues was the ingenuousness with which they approached the biggest international problems. Mr. Fisher had high ideals of the bond of the Empire, but there was an indication of a larger bond of the amity of the English-speaking nations. This was an admirable sentiment, though it did not obliterate one's consciousness of the intervening difficulties; but yesterday's sentiments were pregnant of aid to the Imperial idea. The Daily News, after having cursorily dismissed Sir Joseph Ward's Imperial Council scheme, remarks that whatever organisation the Conference may effect, it would be a modest readjustment of the Imperial Secretariat and Colonial Office with possibly some more definite approach to the establishment of an Imperial Court of Appeal. This would not be magnificent, but would be practical statesmanship. COLONIAL INSTITUTE. DEPUTATION TO MR. ASQUITH. London, May 18. A deputation from the Royal Colonial Institute waited on Mr. Asquith and urged him to support the suggestions for the closer constitutional union of the Empire, which will be discussed on Sir Joseph Ward's initiative at the Imperial Conference. The deputation also urged the Government officially to recognise the many private voluntary societies engaged in forwarding emigration by constituting an official committee including representatives of the societies and the Govenment departments concerned. Mr. Asquith, in a sympathetic reply, expressed appreciation of the Institute's work, and promised to carefully consider the points raised.