IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 316, 1 June 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

VISIT TO IRELAND ABANDONEE. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright London, May 30. Owing to the shortness of the time at their disposal the overseas Prime Ministers will be unable to visit Belfast. THE INNER COUNCIL OF THE EMPIRE. THE TIMES' COMMENT. London, May 30. The Times says that the dominions' ministers recognise that their admission to the inner councils of the Empire brings vastly increased responsibility. In connection with Mr. Fisher's statement in an interview that tho Government of the United Kingdom was to be congratulated on the way it had taken the dominions' representatives into its confidence, and his remark that tho step marked a new era in the development of the Empire, which, once taken, eould not be retraced, the Times says that though a step was not to be retraced, its good effects were liable to lapse if the machinery were not slanged. The Colonial Office should be strengthened by creating a council with functions resembling those of the Secretary of State' Council at the India Office. Overseas Governments .should crfcate a Minister whose whole duty would be to keep informed 011 Imperial affairs. Mr. Wilson, Premier of West Australia, interviewed, said that Australians were ready nnd willing to do more both in promoting Imperial trade and in participating in Imperial defence. THE DEFENCE QUESTION. London, Mav 30. The overseas Ministers attended further meetings of the Defence Committee in the morning and afternoon, Mr. A?qnilh presiding.