THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8444, 17 May 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES. Received May 16, 8.22 a.m. LONDON, May 15. At the Imperial Conference Sir Robert Bond (Premier of Newfoundland) read a statement bearing on the Newfoundland fisheries question. Lurd Elgin (Secretary of State for the Colonies) informed Sir Robert Bond that he was unable to assist Newfoundland. It is reported that Sir Robert Bond angrily retorted that the British Government was neglecting Newfoundland for the sake of American industries —a gross humiliation to the colony, which is was not powerful enough to give effect to its resentment. The Premiers sympathise with Sir Robert Bond. THE CENTRAL FIGURE. Received May 16, 7.4S a.m. LONDON, May 15. The Daily Telegraph says that Mr Deakin was the central figure of the conference. He will return to tell his own people that though he has not secured all he desired for them, he has accomplished much, perhaps more than was expected when he sailed. The Times says that whatever the future historian's verdict on the particular issues- may be, its general purport will be to dwell on the conference of 1907 as a remarkable illustration of the powerful influence of such gatherings on the formation of public opinion, and to insist on the moral effects of the conference, which has now become an institution de3tined like other British institutions to grow. The Daily Chronicle says the principle of the "All Red" route has been accepted. Meanwhile, with regard to the general work of the conference, if Lord Elgin constitutes the Secretariat, and strongly sets it to work, it will promptly increase the conference's success from a business standpoint. The Daily News says the conference is a memorable one. The conference has attained a definite and regular place in the working of the Empire, and has created a Secretariat which ought Jto help the Motherland equally with the colonies : in tha matter of information.