THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 2, 27 June 1911, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

SOUTH AFRICAN VIEWS. By cable.—Preds Association.—Copyright Received 27, 1.10 a.m. Capetown, June 20. The Cape Times says that, while appreciating the importance of the confidential discussion on Britain's foreign policy at the Imperial Conference, it discovers no sign of advance but rather of retrogression in regard to a closer political and commercial union of the Empire. The paper concludes that the Conference is being stifled in deference to the fears of politicians, who are afraid to open their windows to the Imperial air, lest the,, domestic party interests suffer. The Cape Argus hopes the naval review will lead General Botha to realise South Africa's absolute dependence on Britain's maintenance of her sea supremacy, and therefore revert to Mr. Hoffmeyer's policy of 1887. The Johannesburg Star states that the practical outcome of the Imperial Confc-renee, though disappointing in some respects, is more tangible than could have been expected a fortnight ago. "It remains for the statesmen of the Empire," says the Star, "to ensure that there shall be no reversion to the old policy of drift and apathy in Imperial affairs, and that British representatives shall abide by the terms of the pledges given, in older that overseas delegates attending the next Conference may be enabled to dfcvotc most of their attention to concrete measures instead of the discussion of principles."