THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1570, 19 April 1887, Page 1

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

London, April 15. ’ The Imperial Conference .has, resumed its sittings. Sir Henry Holland intimated that the Lord Chancellor held that there was a difficulty in the way of authorising trustees to invest in colonial inscribed stock,' The Imperial Government had no power to limit the borrowing of the coloniefl’or to sue the colonies in default of dividends. The delegates were unanimous that the colonies would not consent to allow their borrowing powers to be controlled, but they might possibly concede the right to sue for dividends. Sir F. D. Bell introduced the question of the wills of colonists. With regard -to 1 this matter Sir Henry Holland stated that the Treasury agreed to an amendment in the Colonial Eegistration Act relieving shares on colonial registers from payment of English probate duty. Sir F. D fi Bell asked for the abolition of stamp duty on inscribed stock, but an answer was given to'the effect that it was unlikely this would be granted at present, but it was probable that a concession in the direction named might be made after ten,years. Mean while,the doty would be placed in a suspense account, the colonies receiving interest, Mr Downer proposed ; that children born in the colonies of marriages with deceased wives’ sisters should be legitimised’in England. Sir Henry Hollond thought it, was unlikely this would be conceded until such marriages were legalised in England. It would be equivalent to altering the English law of marriage. Post ‘ and telegraphs will be discussed on Tuesday, and the New Hebrides on Friday. The demand for a deterioration fund for a colonial fleet of war ships will probably be abandoned, Victoria agreeing, to an equivalent increase in the yearly charge of maintenance.

At the Conference practically nothing is being done. The Government do nothing but formulate schemes, the only purpose seemingly’ being to seek the opinions of' the delegates. Possibly an agreement may be arrived at,whereby the British Government will undertake to invest trust funds in colonial securities. There is a strong feeling that the opinions of the delegates on the deceased wife’s sister question will greatly influence Parliament in dealing with that measure when again brought forward.