THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8412, 29 April 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

NATURALISATION. IMPERIAL COURT OF APPEAL QUESTION. LONDON, April 26. The subject of naturalisation was raised at the Imperial Conference, and the New Zealand and Cape resolutions were discussed. Mr Gladstone, Home Secretary, explained the draft of the Imperial Naturalisation Bill, which was apparently considered satisfactory. Mr Gladstone suggested that the principle of naturalisation be affirmed, and that the details be left to a subsidiary conference. This was considered undesirable, and, the conference preferring to examine the subject farther, the discussion was adjourned. The conference is to-day dealing with the question of a Court of Appeal. Australia moves that it is desirable to establish an Imperial Court of Appeal. (New Zealand claims that naturalised persons should have the rights of British subjects in any part of the world). EMIGRANTS' BUREAU CENSURED.

LONDON, April 26. Yesterday the Imperial Conference unanimously adopted Australia's resolution re immigration, as follpws:— "That it is desirable to encourage British emigrants to proceed to British colonies rather than foreign countries; that the Imperial Government be requested to co-operate with any colonies desiring immigrants in assisting suitable persons to emigrate." Speaking in favour of the resolution, Mr Deakin stated that the Agents-General considered the Emigrants' Information Bureau of little good. His sharp criticisms of the conduct of that branch of the Colonial Office disconcerted' the officials, particularly his comment on their attitude' with regard to the recruiting of labour here for the Queensland sugar sugar plantations. The officials attempted to explain omissions in the bureau's report oi) the ground that it was undesirable to say much respecting the kanaka and White Australia questions. Mr Deakin retorted that Australia was not ashamed of her treatment of the kanakas or of her White Australia policy. The bureau was perfectly at liberty to speak with absolute openness on both questions. Mr Deakin dwelt on the urgent need of increased immigration into Australia, and indicated the sort that was likely to succeed. Sir Joseph Ward said that New Zealand needed carefully selected immigrants, preferably persons possessing some capital. Any scheme on the lines outlined by the Interdepartmental Committee would require the most careful consideration. Mr John Burns, President of the Local Government Board, insisted that the bureau had done valuable work, but the Government was considering the advisability of its reorganisation. He stated that the proportion of emigrants proceeding to the British colonies, as compared with foreign countries, was steadily increasing. He did not approve of colonisation by bodies of persons. He thought there was opportunity now for the colonies to obtain useful artisan colonists, especially builders. He emphasized the extreme value of child emigration on the lines of Dr. Barnardo's Homes. (About a fortnight ago, the Emigrants' Information Bureau issued a warning to British emigrants to remember the climatic conditions of the sugar farms of North Queensland, and declared it was very questionable whether they will be able to work under the tropical con-, ditions.)