THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8405, 20 April 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE SECRETARIAT SCHEME. LONG AND SHARP STRUGGLE. Received April 19, 8.26 a.m. LONDON, April 18. There was a long and sharp struggle in the proceedings of the conference over Mr Deakin's proposal for the establishment of an independent secretariat instead of the Colonial Office. Mr Deakin declared that he did not want the conference to possess executive powers, or even advisory power, in the sense of conveying any authority, to interfere with local self-government, but he did want the conference to be put on a permanent basis, to be more regularly organised, and its Constitution to be slightly altered so as to better express its real purpose and character. He suggested that, besides the Prime Ministers, their Ministerial colleagues should be admitted to lend assistance when required. He would have the status of the self-governing colonies recognised not only by the presidency of the British Preiifier over the conference, but by cuttirg the self-governing dominions off, altogether from the Colonial Office. Lord Elgin is fighting tooth and nail against the proposal to diminish the scope and authority of his department. PREFERENCE. THE NEW HEBRIDES. Received April 19, 8.52 a.m. LONDON, April 18* The Chamber of Commerce of Glasgow has invited the Premiers to visit the city. The chamber also decided, by 62 votes to 39, that the commercial union of the Empire can be most readily and advantageously established on a mutual preferential basis. The Times states that the Government] is agreed- regarding the policy in any future negotiations with France concerning the New Hebrides Convention. "Lord Elgin, in framing instructions for the guidance of British officials, remembered Mr Deakin's suggestions in ths despatch of J..me 13th for the better protection of irdencured natives, and spc-:fal consideration will be given to the sections of the Convention dealing with the engagement of women and children, hours of labour, wages, and conditions of repatriation. MR J. CHAMBERLAIN. Received April 19, 7.40 a.m. t,... LONDON, April 18. j Mr Chamberlain, who is recuperatl ing in the South of France, has telegraphed to Lord Elgin sincerely thanking the Premiers for their good wishes, and adding: "I am promised complete restoration of health, in which case I Hope to speedily resume public work." • The message has been, hailed with the ut nost joy by Mr Chamberlain's constituents and fellow citizens of Birmingham, but Mr Chamberlain is not expected to return to England before June.