IMPERIAL CONGRESS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10170, 21 February 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONGRESS

CABLE NEWS

Untied Press Association — By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.

AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME.

(Received February 20, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 19. The Daily Chronicle (Liberal), discussing the question of the Imperial Conference, maintains that the Blue Book recently issued shows the strikingly great scope for the concerted closer inter-Imperial action, entirely apart from preference, and a conclusive refutation of the delusion that without a tax on food there is nothing to hope or strive after in the domain of Imperial politics. The Daily News (Liberal) declares that the conference has no ambitious programme. /'".'. :' : MELBOURNE, February 20. The Federal Prime Minister (Mr Fisher) strongly supports New Zealand's suggestion that the proceedings of the Imperial Conference should be open. ■■•,'-' Referring to the.preference, he says he does not consider the subject barred. The action of, Canada may affect the other Dominions to some extent, but should not necessarily close the whole subject. He agreed . with the cabled press comment that there was great scope for inter-Imperial action apart from preference.

SYDNEY, February 20. The Commonwealth questions for discussion at the Imperial Conference have been published. *..-.. South Africa desires that all masters relating to the overseas Dominions should be placed . directly under : the Prime Minister of Great Britain.;' It desires to encourage shipping combines formed with the object of controlling freight, rates.' '' . Canada has no subjects to discuss. New Zealand suggests Imperial representation of the overseas Dominions, Imperial penny postage, and a State-owned Atlantic cable.

• i CONSOLIDATION PARITY, * NOTHING WANTED. (Reqfeiyed <Last Night,; 11.25 o'clock.) LONDON, February 20. The Daily Telegraph says that Sir Joseph Ward will very likely be leader of the, party of consolidation at. the Imperial Conference. Though the party is averse to experiments in essentials it is sure to be likely to be of a showy kind, appealing to the Empire's .imagination; but it will rather deal with legal technicalities, such as nationalisation, navigation, and cable rates. It is possible that a practicable shape will be given the All Red Route.

THE EMIGRATION-QUESTION

AND LABOUR EXCHANGES;

(Received February 20, 9.55 p.m.)

..LONDON,/February 20.: " The Chronicle emphasises the, importance of the ImperiarConferencp discussing the 6f • ehiigralion, more particularly the resolutions to be submitted oh behalf of Australia and the British resolution regarding labour exchanges. • ~.-■,/":"-•-■.■.• -. c : The Chronicle's labour correspondent states that the idea is for a central exchange i;o serve as a cleaning house for Empire supplies of "labour, in various parts pi the Empire, and to make frequent reports to British exchanges, besides for the temporary or permanent transfer of surplus laj bour where the demand exists. The 1 paper adds: "A factor in the situation making for uncertainty is the attitude I of the Trades Unions and labour lea.ders, who ares believed t6 be strongly to the State-aided immigration .of unemployed. \ If the ' Conference agrees to, the scheme, the trades Unions may oppose it." . .