Imperial Federation.—lmportant Meeting.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4854, 31 July 1884, Page 2

Imperial Federation.—lmportant Meeting.

The /first meeting of the Conference organised to discuss the; advisability of Imperial Federation, was held to-day. There was present a large representative attendance of colonial and English dele^ i gates. The Hon. W. E. Forster, late | Chief Secretary of Ireland, was appointed Chairman, and, in his opening speech,he said that the federation of the British Empire should be carried out on the principle of perfect equality. Mr W. H. Smith* M.P., moved a resolution setting forth that federation is essential to the permanent unity of,the. Empire. Earl Eoseberry seconded the motion, but said that he was not in favor of any interference with the local autonomy in various parts of the Empire. His Lordship suggested that colonial delegates should sit in the House of Lords; Mr Stanhope, M.P.; moved tllat a society be formed for tho furtherance of the object of the Con* ferenee, and, after discussion^ both resolutions were adopted, and it was decided to appoint a Committee, with the Hon. W. E. Forster as Chairman, to carry out the decision of, the meeting. , Tho Egy^tiaa Conference. The Egyptian Conference met again today, but further adjourned until Thursday next. : ; '■;-■•<■■ :• : ' - Arrived, in the Channel: Ship Wellington, from Lyttelton, May 1, with a cargo of frozen mutton.; • The Home vrard mails, via Suez and Brindiui, dated Melbourne, June 17, were delivered to*day.