Imperial Conference

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 309, 24 May 1911, Page 5

Imperial Conference

THE DOMINIONS AND THE MOTHERLAND. ONE PEOPLE, ONE VOICE. AN APPEAL FOR CLOSER RELATIONSHIP. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received 24, 12. 10 a.m. London, May 23. Tlic Times states that the Imperial Conference of lttOli established an equal national status for five constituent parts of the Empire, and declared itself a Conference of Governments. With Governments as such it reassembles in 1911. The question of national status being settled, the question of national responsibility takes its place. "Shall these Governments," asks the Times, "have five foreign policies or shall they be jointly responsible for one policy ? There can be no doubt about the answer they give. Sentiment indicates even more clearly than interest, for come what may, the peoples of the Empire are determined to be one, but sentiment will not solve how in practice a single policy is to be main-: tained. That pressing problem this Conference must face. The need can only be met by closer touch between the five Cabinets during all the months of every year. The Conference may be able to agree on an immediate step towards that end, but will have done much if they only demonstrate the urgency of the steps. Foreign relations and defence will be for the first time the main subject for discussion." THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL IDEA. SIR JOSEPH WARD INTERVIEWED. London, May 22. Sir .Joseph Ward, in an interview, said that the Empire was so big and scattered and its growth so rapirl that the necessity of devising a method of united action in great emergencies was of vital I interest. It was essential to have in time of peace a system for operation in time of war. He expressed the hope that the Imperial Conference would be convinced that it was possible to erect machinery for the accomplishment of this purpose. Within a quarter of a century the overseas dominions would be more powerful in population, wealth ; and production than the Motherland today. He was referring not to accumulated wealth, but to the direct productiveness of the soil and industries. The voice of the dominions must be heard in matters interesting the Empire as a whole. The brightest and best intellects of the old country and the new ought to combine to produce a system of invigorating the body and limbs of the greatest Empire the world has ever seen. ] j A GOOD OMEN. I London, May 22. The Daily Mail asks: "Is it not a good omen for the Coronation that the Imperial Conference should have been directly or indirectly responsible for the confederation of Australia and South Africa, the creation of colonial armies and navies, the reduction of tariffs against British goods and penny postage? Even more important is the effect the conferences have had on opinions and tendencies of policy throughout the Empire." The Mail emphasises Australia's protest against the Declaration of London. THE KING'S LUNCHEON. London, May 22. The Prime Minister and ladies attended the luncheon at Buckingham Palace. Tne Daily Chronicle states that it must be a source of great satisfaction to the King, who has travelled in every part of the Empire, that the distinguished statesmen of the dominions will participate at the Coronation. Liberty has proved that though no parchment binds the Motherland to her daughters, they are united by hoops of steel, by the ties of race, language, common ideals, and community of interest.

KING CHATS WITH THE DELEGATES London, May 22. The Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Mr. and Mrs. Asquith and Mr. and ill's. Tlarcourt were present at the King's lunch to the oversea Premiers. The King chatted with delegates individually for half an hour. There were no speeches. The other guests were officials from the Colonial Office and the ladies and gentlemen of the Court. Dr. and Mrs. Findlav were among those present. THE OPENING TO-DAY. London. May 22. The Imperial Conference will sit on four mornings weekly at the Foreign Office, lmt will hold other meetings according to necessity. The Conference will open to-morrow. It is likely that the press will be admitted to hear the Premier's speech welcoming the delegates, and it will be decided afterwards whether pressmen shall be admitted to the proceedings. LADY WARD HONORED. London, May 22. At the King's luncheon, Lady Ward sat on his Majesty's left, and Princess Christian on his right. MR. ASQUITH'S DINNER PARTY. London. May 22. Mr. Asquith's guests to meet the visiting Premiers to-night included the Lord High Chancellor, Lords Aberdeen, Minto, Tieauehamp, Milner. Kitchener, Tennyson. Denmnn and Brassey, Sir G. Reid, and Sir William Hall-Jones.

A GARDEN PARTY. Received 23, 10.5 p.m. London, May 23. Two thousand invitations have been issued in connection with to-day's garden party at Downing-strcet. A BRILLIANT FUNCTION. Received 23, 11.15 p.m. London, May 23. At the Foreign Office reception there were 30,000 present. It was the largest and most brilliant function of recent years, livery Privy Councillor, many high officials and colonial residents had been invited. Lord Beauchamp, as the official host, on behalf of the Government, entertained the committee. The entrance to the hall and the staircase were converted into a fairyland ol flowers, national colors predominating. THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT. Received 23, 10.40 p.m. London, May 23. The Daily Chronicle anticipates that the first development of the Conference will be the recognition of the national status of the dominions by separation from the rest of the colonies. The programme shows how large is the sphere of operations. The first step of the Conference will be the development of the Secretariat idea.

FURTHER PRESS VIEWS. Received 23, 11 p.m. London. May 23. The Express states that once every four years the Prime Ministers of the dominions spend a month in England. "We show our sense of the privilege hv getting to know what they have to say by making it impossible to hear their voices." The Morning Leader hopes that without impairing the efficiency of the Conference a satisfactory method will he found of gratifying the very natural public desire to hear what such welcome visitors as Sir Wilfrid Laurier, General Botha and Mr. Fisher have to say.