Imperial Conference

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 324, 10 June 1911, Page 5

Imperial Conference

THE SECRETARIAT IDEA. NO UNANIMITY. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright London, June 8. At the* Imperial Conference Mr. Harcourt presided. He outlined the proposal for a standing sommittee bridging the gap between the conferences. Mr. Fisher, Si. - J. G. Ward and Mr. Batchelor agreed, that such machinery was needed, but General Botha, Sir Edward Morris Mr. Malan, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier disagreed, preferring subsidiary conferences to consider special questions. Mr. Harcourt raid that while discussion was informative, the want of unanimity compelled him to withdraw the proposal. v Sir J. G. Ward withdrew his resolution dealing with the reconstruction of the Colonial Office. Sir J. G. Ward's motion favoring the interchange of visits between the civil servants of Britain and the dominions was carried.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL. PREMIERS' FREE DISCUSSION. Received 9, 10. p.m. London, June fi. Mr. Harcourt produced the memorandum he promised at the Conference la'st week. He referred to the provision in 1907 for a subsidiary conference. He suggested now that matters coming within the purview of the Conference which could not be dealt with bv t3ie subsidiary conference should be referred to a standing committee of the Conference, comprising representatives of the dominions. The committee would virtually be a subsidiary conference, not limited to one subject, and meeting more or less at regular intervals to transact business referred to it by the Secretary of State, with the assent of the dominions. It would be advisory; not executive, nnd would deal with matters concerning the past conference or preparations for the approaching one. The committee's advise would be given to the Secretary of State and communicated to the dominions through the Governors-General, though the High Commissioners would be free to inform their Governments about the proceedings. The dominions would have power to appoint special representatives instead of High Commissioners. Mr. Harcourt intimated that the GoTernment did not wish to press the resolution unless it met with the unanimous wishes of the delegates.

Sir Joseph Ward said it would be a considerable improvement if the gap between the conferences were bri3ged by machinery provided to deal with questions not brought to a final issue. While he did not agre<; with all the suggestions in the memorandum, he though that with alight alterations it would meet the case. The existing machinery was insufficient. He was willing to accept the proposal as evidence of the Home Government's desire. The machinery, which while facilitating practical decisions by way of suggestion, would leave the ultimate power in the hands of the Government.

Mr. Harcourt said that in deference to the criticisms, he proposed to omit reference to the High Commissioners as representatives, leaving the different Governments to appoint whom they pleased.

Sir. Fisher declared that the time had arrived when somebody should carry on the work between the conferences. He thought the proposal would enable a discussion of the views of the dominions. Hitherto responsible ministers had told the Conference what they could do about their respective departments, but now they had taken the delegates entirely into their confidence in matters of great concern. Hence it was more necessary to have a subsidiary body to facilitate elose communication. He agreed that the committee should be purely advisory, with freedom on the part of the dominions to select representatives. In regard to the conference being extended, he thought the conferences would have to be held at shorter periods than fnvr years, unless largf.r powers were entrusted to some person or body.

General Botha said he would rot like to accept the proposal as it stool The object of the Conference was to secure uniformity and obtain the attendance of members of some standing. This would not be secured if some dominions appointed High Commissioners and others selected officials of different kinds. He thought the Ministers presiding at the Conference should ba .responsible, for carrying out the decisions arrived at. He favored the holding of subsidiary conferences to consider special questions. The standing committee ought not to discuss special matters or interfere with the work of the responsible Government. He failed to see how the committee could do the work any better. The Conference had a comprehensive agenda, while as an outcome of the Conference it was probable there were one or two important matters not appearing on the agenda.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier viewed seriously any interference between the Home and dominion Governments. The organisation of the Colonial Office had given ample satisfaction. Mr. Malan said if the committee were advisory to the Secretary for State it seemed to follow that the Conference was also advisory. If the committee acted under instructions, the matters could well be dealt with through the Governor-General. Mr. Hareourt declared that the Government had no intention that the proposal should operate derogatory to the position of the dominion Governments. The proposal was Intended to meet what the Government believed some of the dominions desired. It did not imply thqt the Home Government was conscious of any deficency in the

Colonial Office machinery for all Imperial purposes.

Sir Joseph Ward stated thill some extraordinary misconception existed in regard to the nature of the proposal. The dominions would still retain supreme decision. He failed to see how dangers could arise from the Conference relegating important matters to a sub-committee. Obviously there must be complex subjects that would be better dealt with by a standing committee. However well a Secretary of State discharged his duties, there were matters from the dominions' standpoint which it would be unfair and improper to ask the Secretary to undertake. Questions of vital importance to the previous. Conference remained unsettled and were likely to remain bo for the want of machmeryto thresh out the details. He instanced the questions of the double income tax, the death duties, and the Suez Canal dues. The distance increased the difficulties of Australia and New Zealand attending subsidiary conferences compared with other colonies. The idea prevailed that if the proposal were carried it would help the Imperial Council idea. He was satisfied that; would come when public opinion was ripe.

Mr. Harcourt undertook to give effect before the next Conference to all questions decided at this Conference. Mr. Batchelor asked whether the army of resolutions at previous conferences resulted in concrete action, instancing the naturalisation resolution.

Mr. Harcourt said a general resolution on naturalisation was carried, but the moment the individual dominions were committed acute differences arose.

Sir Joseph Ward said that was due to the absence of machinery to carry out the details. General Botha said that no Government would allow itself to be ruled by a committee. Its creation might be a false step tending more to breaking down than to building up.

Sir Edward Morris, Premier of Newfoundland, said the Conference illustrated what little effective work it was possible to accomplish. The proposal was withdrawn. THE DENUNCIATION OF TREATIES. "AN IMPERIAL CRISIS." London, June 8. The Standard describes Sir Wilfrid Laurier's motion to denounce certain treaties as an Imperial crisis and recalls the British Government's firm refusal in 1891 to sound foreign Governments regarding the denunciation of treaties and also Lord Ripon's declaration in 1805. The Standard says the ultimate effect of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's motii'i will be a policy of dismemberment.