THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE
HOME GOVERNMENT SYMPATHETIC. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, June 16. At the conference yesterday Sir Joseph Ward urged a chain of wireless stations to make the Empire largely independent of cables in the event of emergency.
Mr. Samuel, Postmaster-General, said it was desirable that a chain be established throughout the Empire, stragetically and commercially. The Home Government considered it should be Stateowned and speedily established, and proposed beginning with six stations, one each in England, Cyprus, Aden, Bombay, Singapore, and Australia; and linked from the latter country with New Zealand. It might be desirable to get one of the wireless companies to erect stations, and, failing satisfactory terms, the Admiralty might undertake the work, each of the Dominjons bearing the cost of the local stations, but the cost of the station at Singapore, which would be exclusively a connecting link, would be borne equally by all. Mr. Graaf supported the idea, and said that when Aden station was erected South Africa would consider the erection of a high-power station as a link.
Mr. Samuel suggested pooling the working expenses nnd receipts. The precis of the meeting of the Imperial Conference this afternoon has not been issued. It is understood that, it considered the question of a chain of State-owned wireless stations.
Mr. Samuel explained that Britain was bound to the Marconi system, and an Imperial' 6ystem was impossible while parts of the Empire tied themselves to different systems.
The Conference approved the use of Imperial postal orders, and rediscussed the question of the enforcement of commercial arbitration awards throughout the Empire. Sir Joseph Ward made a strong plea for universal penny postage. Mr. Samuel's objection that it would involve Britain in a loss of £400,00b annually oaused the withdrawal of the motion. A sub-comr • t<<e <*f the Conference conferred witn i!i« M'nr on defence details, and tlio result will be submitted at an early date to the full conference.
THE TREATY QUESTION. DOMINIONS' REQUEST FdR RELIEF MET/ tiondon, June 16. Mr. Asquith presided at the' Con---fcrence to-day. Sir Wilfrid Latirier moved that the British Government be requested to negotiate with the Powers in order to relieve the Dominions so desiring from the operations of treaties. He referred to Australia's experience when it wished to give preference to British goods in British ships, which had been prevented by the favored nation clause. This showed the necessity of the proposal. Canada was now faced with a'similar difficulty in giving preference. It had Been suggested that his proposal would destroy the principle of commercial unity, but such a principle did not exist. The Motherland had free trade, ana the Dominions' had tariffs, and no two tariffs agreed. Commercial diversity existed instead of commercial unitv. There was no difficulty in understanding that when Great Britain made .a treaty to suit her own requirements it might not suit the Dominions. His idea was to bring the old treaties into line with newer ones. The proposal should be couple with tliTce principles: Firstly, it should be the Dominions' first effort to develop trade as far as possible with the Motherland; secondlv. they should not confine their efforts to British markets, but should be allojved as their second object to increase trade with other nations; and, thirdly, that any benefits given by the Dominions to other nations should he given to the Motherland and other Dominions. Mr. Fisher said Sir Wilfrid Laurier's arguments commended themselves to the Commonwealth, which appreciated the difficulties, and strongly wished, without, embarrassing the Home Government, to have the treaties modified in the way proposed. Sir .Joseph Ward, Mr. Morris, and General Botha supported Sir Wilfrid Laurier's motion.
Sir Edward Grey said he could accept the resolution, as he realised that old treaties not containing the option of the newer must sometimes embarrass the Dominions. Questions being raised with Italy in response to the Commonwealth's Tequest, a reply had been received that it would be necessary to denounce an existing and n-egotiate a new treaty. If that attitude were generally adopted it would be inconvenient to denounce before a new agreement was secured. The case might be met by agreeing to open negotiations for modifications, and if that failed it would be best to negotiate for new treaties without denouncing the old. He accepted the resolution, which, on that understanding, was, adopted. During the discussion of the Commonwealth's resolution urging development of fuller commercial intercourse. Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved to approach the Imperial Government to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the natural resources and trade of the whole
Empire. Mr. Aflquit.h agreed, and the motion was adopted. STATE-OWNED WTRELESS. LOSS ON PENNY POST. ROYAL COMMI.SSTON ON TRADE. THE ROUTE. Received After Mr. Sir G. Ward di-
rection of affirming the desirableness of establishing a State-owned wireless service. Mr. L. Harcourt, replying to Mr. Pearce, said the Pacific Islands were not overlooked in the ultimate development scheme. Sir J. G. Ward thought it would be more satisfactory if Australia and New Zealand carried out their local requirements, sharing the cost of the Singapore station.
Mr. Fisher declared the Commonwealth intended to proceed with its own scheme. It reserved the right to erect stations where it pleased. He supported Mr. Samuel, but wished to make it clear that he was not committed to the fanatical side.
The amended resolution was adopted. Mr. Samuel showed the average cost of handling each letter and a reply to different parts of the Empire to be a penny and one-sixth. It would take fourteen yeans to recoup the loss incurred in extending the penny post to the United States. Sir J. G. Ward substituted the 1007 resolution, which wa< reaffirmed. Sir Wilfrid Lauricr, in supporting 'ihe Commonwealth trade resolution, said it was difficult to secure improvement without more information. He therefore moved to approach the King praying him to, appoint a Royal commission, representing Britain and the overseas Dominions, to investigate the natural resources and the dcvelopmnet attained, as well as the attainable facilities for production, manufacture and distribution of trade, each part with the others. Also to ascertain the food and raw material requirements of each, the sources thereof, their availability, and to what cx- ! tent trade between the different parts is affected by existing legislation—beneficially or otherwise. The conference on Friday afternoon discussed Mr. Graaf's resolution in favor of concerted action to promote better trade and postal communications within the Empire, and to discourage shipping combines. He instanced the excessive ocean freights between South Africa and Britain, and compared Britain and Australia. He aaid the South' African Union was determined to establish its own freights and markets. Mr. Harcourt said the resolution was i another step in the policy which was the governing note of the conference, namely, not Imperial concentration, but Imperial co-operation. In one respect the resolution might be misunderstood. He proposed to add, "by what methods, consistent with the existing fiscal policy of each part of the Empire, trade can be improved .and extended." This would show the commission that the conference did not intend to make '"Aommendations for one policy for the "ninions or th» Motherland, but for th' of the Empire, and to ensure a belter position for future co-operation. Mr. Fisher said the resolution was a practical way of dealing with a difficult question. The commission must look freely into every matter likely to afford useful information.'and must not dogmatise about methods by which different countries conduct their own affairs. It. was essential that the commission shout.) include men of the highest standing. Mr. Pearce slid the proposal met the position practically, and would enable them to deal with trade matters effectively.
Mr. Asquith stated the conference was indebted to Sir Wilfrid Laurier for his practical proposition to prepare the way and possibly to make the way plain for effective action next conference, or sooner. The commission would be an advisory body, with a reference as wide as works could make, it without jnaking suggestions as to States' policies anvwhere. Every Dominion would pursue such a fiscal policy as was best suited to its own requirements. The commission would visit every part of the Empire. The Government would secure the best men possihle. Mr. Fisher said the Commonwealth was ready to share the expense of the burden. They ought not to rest entirely on the Motherland. Sir W. Laurier and Sir J. C. Ward thought similarly, and Mr. Asquith expressed gratitude for the suggestion of help.
The amended resolution was passed. Sir J. Ward, in moving a motion, said, in regard to the All-Red main route, that he had the assurance of shipping men that they could give a 20-knot sei - viee in the Pacific, a=, the difficulties
existing for years back in regard co coaling had disappeared. Although the opening of the Panama Canal might considerable afi'ect the system, he desired the All-Red service instituted, as it looked as if Canada was the "half-way house" between New Zealand and P>r-i tain.
Mr. Morris also presented a motion advocating a fast service between Newfoundland and Britain. Sir Wilfrid Laurier favored Sir J. G
Ward's motion. Mr. Fisher said that while much could be said as to the sentiment of the suggestion, the practical side must stand on its merits. They could not draw a distinction between the service to Australia. via New Zealand and Canada, and the Suez route. The latter might have difficulties, but there wa* much to commend it from an Australian standpoint, of goods across Canada the proposal impracticable'. He r<-rfi-ntt '■' l that the Commonwealth could
not suppo:- 1 it. Mr. Lloyd r !eorge said sentimentally the All Red v"'ife was desirable, hut. the practical - dignities were great. Since last conferen-" the question had been investigated, ml the committee found twenty-one "krots" which were prohibitive and eighteen "knots" which were enorniouslv costly. The sendee would be dependent on passengers, and could not hope to carry goods across the Continent. There would be considerable loss to the Pacific side, though the Atlantic side might pay after years. He thought the question might, be referred to the Roval Commission. Sir J. 0. Ward Said the scheme of merely carrying goods was useless and impractical. He amended th« resolution
affinning the (icsin.-liiliiy iluit I'.i'ilitiii should connect with CJinada and Newfoundland through Canada, with Australia and New Zealand by the best mail service available. The motion was curried.
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 331, 19 June 1911, Page 5
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1,730THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 331, 19 June 1911, Page 5
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