Imperial Conference

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 311, 26 May 1911, Page 5

Imperial Conference

THE IMPERIAL OOU-XCIL IDEA. SIR JOSEIPH WARD'S SPEECH. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, May 24. Sir Joseph Ward moved his resolution in favor of an Imperial Council on the grounds that it would promote Imperial unity, organise Imperial defence, and the equal distribution of the burdens of defence. Her ecommended the representation of the self-governing dominions in the Imperial Parliament for determining peace and war, foreign policy, and international treaties affecting the Empire. He said that the remarkable growth of the overseas dominions required the gravest consideration from statesmen in order to prevent difficulties which might in future be almost impossible of settlement, but which might be dealt with while the white populations were limited in numbers. He believed that within 25 years the combined population overseas would exceed that of the United Kingdom and those controlling the Empire's destinies would have to consider this expansion. The separate units were all deeply concerned in the maintenance of some, loose form of federation and were now kept together by sentiment. The experience of the United States showed wliat tremendous changes might take place with regard to nationality, and he believed they would have to face such a problem owing to the attractiveness of the overseas dominions for settlement to people of different languages from our own. Unless the question of emigration and immigration was treated Imperially and anxious care was taken to keep our own people within the Empire, the future strength might be dissipated and the best of the population spread amongst alien countries. The Conference adjourned till Thursday.

PERSONALITIES AT THE CONFERENCE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE,

Though you may dislike his politics, says a Pall Mall Gazette writer, you cannot help liking "Lulu" Harcourt, the able son of a very able father; in fact, whether in society, or the House of Commons, or wherever you meet him, he is a delightful personality. Born in 1863 to I the late Sir William by his first wife, he, after the natural course of Eton, underwent his political apprenticeship with his father as his private secretary at the Home Office and Treasury. He took very great interest in Liberal organisation, and was for some time Secretary of the Home Counties Liberal Federation. He was first elected for the Rosendale division of N.E. Lancashire in March, 1904. He is thoroughly at home at the Office of Works, but he could not frame a Plural Voting Bill to please the House of Lords in 1906, and it must be said that he took no particular pains to do so. He was liked so well as a Minister by his chief that he was taken into the Cabinet in March, 1907, and a few months ago was appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies in succession to Lord Crewe, who went to the India Office. SIR WILFRID LAURIER. Sir Wilfrid Laurier has been Premier of Canada since 1896, and is the first French Canadian to hold that honorable and responsible position. By his ability and fairness, he has won the respect and confidence of all classes of the community. He was born in Quebec in 1841, and took his degree of B.C.L. at McGill University in 1864. He entered the Canadian Parliament in 1871, and six years later was appointed Minister of inland Revenue in the Mackenzie Ministry. In 1801 he became leader of the Liberal party, a position which he has ever since retained. Although a Liberal and a Free-Trader, Sir Wilfrid has always put the good of his country before the shibboleths of party. He is a strong Imperialist, and an advocate of mutual preference between the Mother Country and the Dominion of Canada. MR. ANDREW FISHER.

Mr. Andrew Fisher became Prime Minister of Australia last year for the second time. In 1908 he had a short spell in office after the defeat of Mr. Deakin. Born in Scotland in 1862, he went to Queensland in 1885, and was prominent in the Queensland Parliament as early as 1893. He was Minister of Railways in the Dawson Ministry, and has been a member of the Commonwealth Parliament since its inauguration. He was Commonwealth Minister for Trade and Customs in 1904, and was Prime Minister in 1908-9. He has a genuine, convincing manner which, combined with a touch of the rugged Scotch accent still remaining, makes him immediately popular with all who come in contact with him. BOTHA OF SOUTH AFRICA.

General Botha, who is now fifty-eight years old, holds a unique position in | South Africa. He is absolutely trusted by the British in all four colonies. AVith his own people, says a recent writer, General Botha's word is law. They maycome to a meeting full of grievances—the Dutch are partial to grievances, like the British —and with mutterings of revolt. But two words from General Botha calm them. The storm dies away. The people are content. Of his absolute loyalty to the British Throne there is not the faintest doubt. He accepted the terms of surrender at Vereeniging, and he will never go back on his word. Probably at heart h'c recognises that the future of South Africa under the British flag must be far freer and greater than it would have been had the old system continued. Moreover, he is a true South African—not merely a Dutch South African. He wants to see the two white races unite. NEWFOUNDLAND'S PREMIER.

Sir Edward Morris has been Prime Minister of Newfoundland since March, 1009. He was horn at St. John's on the island in 1859, and after completing his education at the University of Ottawa, he was called to the bar in 1885. During the same year he entered the Newfoundland Parliament as member for St. John's, which he has held continuously to the present time. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SCHEME. Sir Joseph Ward is attending his second Imperial Conference as Prime Minister of New Zealand. While en route for London he attracted some attention by suggesting the creation of an Imperial House of Representatives, returned upon a basis of population, and an Imperial Senate, to which each portion of the Empire would elect equal numbers of members, such Parliament to be strictly limited to the consideration of the Imperial questions mentioned and to the adjustment and determination ot the contributions for Imperial defence of each Dominion represented. It would also determine the need and extent of

local defences throughout the Empire. Its aim should be the creation and maintenance of an invincible navy, capable in all likely conditions of keeping open the highways for our trade, and protecting to the fullest extent inter-imperial commerce.

This proposal was not, however, included by Sir Joseph in the list of subjects submitted for discussion.