THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1561, 29 March 1887, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

London, March 24. It is probable that Mr Dowaer will undertake the conduct of the postal question at the Imperial Conference, Mr Blackwood, Secretary to the Postoffice, has drawn up a written reply to Mr Hennicker-Heaton’s penny postal scheme. He combats the arguments brought to bear in their favor, and contends that the penny postage system would occasion great anomalies in the service generally. Looking at it from the financial aspect, Mr Blackwood maintains that the adoption of the reduced rate would cause a serious loss to the revenue, and that it would be impossible to make it profitable. Among the important questions to be discussed at the Imperial Conference will be the future of the New Hebrides. The Australian delegates are ready with proposals, and probably an effort will be made to settle the difficulty by adopting a suggestion in favor of neutralising the islands, and placing thereunder an Intercolonial Commission, composed of English, French, and German members.

The Marriage Reform Association has requested Mr Downer to advocafflu* at the Imperial Conference the n'o-ssitj f of legitimitising in Great Britain children' born of marriages with a deceased wife’s sister in colonies where such unions are legal. March 25. Sir Henry Holland announced, in reply to a question, that he would slate at the opening of the Imperial Conference what be proposes should be done in regard fo Imperial defence in furtherance of the report of the Royal Commission on the same, held under the presidency of the Earl of Carnarvon. Sir Henry Holland further stated that the conference would only freely discuss camera the questions brought before it, tie added, however, that though reporters would be admitted only at the,) ; opening ceremony, the Press would be furnished on the following days with a precis of the proceedings,