THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8407, 23 April 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

;SOME WARM DEBATES

Received April 22, 7.54 a.m. LONDON, April 21. A precis of the discussions at the . Imperial Conference reveals that warm debates took place before the question of the future constitution of the conference was settled. Mr Deakin explained that he desired the continuation of the present conference under improved methods, , systematised procedure, larger formation, greater efficiency, and increased dignity and prestige. There were many reasons why it was desirable that the secretariat should be detached from the Colonial Office and transferred to the Prime Minister. Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canada) insisted that the secretariat ought to be covered by Ministerial responsi- ! ;bility, preferably by that of the Colonial Office. V Sir Joseph Ward insisted, as a cardinal principle, that the confer•ence should have no power to interfere with the present rights of selfgoverning countries. Lord Elgin said he was delighted with every word of a suggestion that indicated a desire to increase the unity and strength of the Empire. It would be very difficult for him to agree to the establishment of a body with an independent status. Such a proposal might endanger the autonomy of all. Lord Elgin, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Joseph Ward and General Botha (Transvaal) favoured quinquennial conferences. Mr Deakin, Dr. Jameson (Cape •Colony), and Mr Moor (Natal) favoured a four years' period, which was adopted. Mr Deakin suggested the desirability of leaving it open for the conference to sometimes appoint a Prime Minister to take the chiir in the absence of the president. Lord Elgin and Mr Winston Churchill thought it preferable that the Premier of the British Government should preside. Lord Elgin stated that the secretariat staff would be part of the . Colonial Office. I Mr Deakin referred to the tendency •of the Colonial Office to become imbued with principles of government Which were foreign to and almost antagonistic to the principles on which the self-governing colonies ■were conducted. Sir Joseph Ward thought that the . autonomous dominions ought not to be placed on a par with the Crown colonies. Lord Elgin stated that he would endeavour to separate the departs i : mants of the Colonial Office, so that there would be a distinct division for dealing with the affairs .of the responsibly governed colonies.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Received April 22, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, April 21. j'jjL Mr Haldane, Minister for War, ad- * dressed the Conference upon the . general principles of Imperial military oganisation. The Premiers expressed general concurrence in the principles the Minister enunciated. The Conference resolved to recognise the right of any self-governing • colony to consult the Committee of Imperial Defence upon any matter relating to its own protection, and to be represented during the discussion •of that question, in order to explain the local position and the grounds on which the committee's advice is • sought. This relates solely to questions affecting naval and military policy. 1