THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8401, 17 April 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

OPENING SPEECHES. Received April 16, 8.47 a.m. LONDON, April 15. The Imperial Conference has opened. The King sen t] a message' welcoming- the representatives, and expressing the hope that the conferenne would have good results in the interests of the Empire. Lord Elgin, Secretary of State for the Colonies, presided. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Prime Minister, welcomed the representatives. He expressed himself as confident that an important matter involving differences of opinion would be approached with a recognition that the will of the people in each part of the Empire must be paramount. The conference would find that his colleagues would join in the freest discussion of the important matter of preference. The British Government would carefully consider any decision the conference might come to. He was delighted with the assurance of Mr Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade, that the Navigation Conference would "have good results. Mr Deakin, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, said he was sure that Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man's remarks would be read with in terest in Australia. All were anxious to cement the ties of Empire, and it would be most disappointing if undue secrecy were observed. Sir Joseph Ward said the spirit shown by Sir Henry Campbell-Ban-nerman was exceedingly gratifying. The results of the Navigation Conference showed that discussion enabled apparently hcpeles3 ques- , tions to be satisfactorily settled. If the colonies were exempted from Home party conflicts, it would be possible to evolve a policy of continuity which would strengthen the Empire. Lord Elgin expressed the hope that good work would be accomplished by the conference. Sir ITenry Campbell Rannerman, .in deliv. ring his opening address, declared that the British Government was as anxious to promote the wellbeing of tlie colonies as the colonies themselves were. Britain claimed freedom to do what she considered to be in the best interests of her own people, and she conceded similar freedom to the colonies. "The Imperial Government cannot," said Sir Henry, "go behind its declared intentions in thio country and in Parliament. No more can the Premiers go behind the intentions and wishes of their communities and Parliaments." Referring to defence, he said: "We do not go to yon as claimants for money, although we cordially recognise the spirit in which contributions have been made in the 'past." Sir Henry continued that there was room for agreement and for advance on many subjects. He considered the meeting of Premiers was most valuable. lie acknowledged the valuable work of Sir Joseph Ward and Sir William Lyne on the Navigation Conference. Sir Henry expressed deep regret at the illness of Mr Chamberlain.

Received April 16, 10.9 p.m

LONDON, April 16

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman said he had much pleasure in sincerely welcoming the Premiers, all of whom were friends, and most of them personal friends, of himself or the other Ministers. He recalled the services of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mr Deakin and Sir K. Bond at past conferences. A special greeting- was ex tended to Mr Louis Botha, "the Benjamin of the Brotherhood," whose presence the Premiers would welcome as cordially as the British Government. The Premier of Orangia would have been welcomed had the Constitution been established, but there could be no avoiding the delay in granting the Constitution. He recognised the great inconvenience and public and personal sacrifices the Premiers had to make to attend the conference. He emphasised the affectionate interest and pride the Motherland felt in the colonies. Glancing at the programme, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman remarked that this was not a conference between the Premiers and the Colonial Secretary, but between the Premiers and the British Government, under the presidency of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, which was a very different matter. The view sometimes taken of the proper relations of the colonies to the Motherland respecting expenditure on armament entirely was somewhat modified. It was possible to overestimate the importance of the requirements of oversea dominions as a factor in our expenditure, but the cost of naval defence and the responsibility for the conduct of foreign affaii-s hang together. Respecting emigration, he said the matter was of the utmost moment to the colonies and the Motherland.

Received April 16, 10.38 p.m. LONDON, April 16. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman said that preference must hold a prominent position. The Government were fully prepared to recognise the friendly action taken by some of the colonies, and would discuss the subject in the fullest and frankest manner. "I hope," said the Premier, "an agreement will bo arrived at on many points. Regarding others on which we are compelled to differ we differ not merelyin a perfectly friendly way, but with a mutual respect for the ground and motives whereon the differences are based. If the Conference were unable to arrive at binding decisions, they must consult the wishes and intentions of the respective countries and Parliaments. But subject to that limitation I firmly believe there remain matters of great moment where there is room for arrangement and advance. I hope to be able to find a method of continuing between the Conferences the definite communications which the Conferences make necessary, but anything militating against the freedom of action and the independence of the individual States was undesirable, and wholly contrary to the genius of our race and political ideals, and sooner or later it would bo disastrous."

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