A STEP FORWARD

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10254, 5 June 1911, Page 5

A STEP FORWARD

DECLARATION OF LONDON.

DISCUSSED BY IMPERIAL CON-

FERENCE

(Received June 3, 9.35 a.m.)

LONDON, June 3. During the discussion at the Imperial Conference on the Declaration of London, Sir Joseph Ward said he supported the declaration because it reduced the risk to which foodstuffs were now exposed. The establishment of an International Court of Appeal would be a great improvement on a ( Billigerents' Court. The crux of the whole position was the maintenance of the British Navy, which rrtust be kept so powerful that the sea routes would be protected, and there was not the slightest chance but that the declaration of London would pass the test. It* was of material importance to consult' the Dominions on these matters, iu order to secure their opinions before decisipns were finally reached. He regretted this had not been done in the present instance. Though all would ! have liked to be consulted, they were j not prepared to support the rejection; of the Declaration.' I Dr. Findlay, Attorney-General of i New Zealand, said the more the De- * claration was examined the more they j would see how advantageous it was to Britain. It embodied British practice for a century with respect to foodstuffs. -CONCLUSION OF SIR E. GREY'S SPEECH. Sir Edward Grey concluded his speech. He said the Declaration was a. step forward; if the Conference refused to ratify it it would be a great blow to the confidence of other nations in Britain as a Power. .He was prepared to forward arbitration, but it was essential to go through with the Declaration. "Our withdrawal," con- / tinued Sir Edward, "would be an in- • centivo to others to proceed with international arrangements without us.'' ; Replying to a question by Mr Fisher as to whether consultations would be \ confined to The Hague, Sir Edward «• Grey said consultation would be limi- j ted. There were cases of treaties where it would be difficult to consult, hut so far as could be done, the (government would do it. CANADIAN VIEW. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said it was a far-reaching proposition that the Dominions should be consulted with regard to treaties. Canada claimed the liberty of negotiating her own commercial treaties. If that were conceded in regard to other treaties it might seriously embarrass the Home Government. Britain carried the greater burden of Empire, and it would be I ; going too far if the Overseas Dominy ions were consulted on matters which might result in war. He thought it would be better to leave the matter to the discretion of the Imperial Government. The Declaration would be an immense advance. If Sir E. Grey concluded an arbitration treaty with America it would be the greatest act of his career. That consummation would perhaps be prevented if the De- . claration was not ratified.

MR FISHER'S MODIFIED VIEWS. (Received June 3, 10 a.m.) LONDON, June 2.. The Standard states that Mr Fisher modified some of his opinions about the Declaration under the influence of the British Government, hut arguments /which were not convincing inDowning Street may not survive transportation, since Australian ships and neutral ships alike would he liable to seizure if privateering were permitted. "The truth is that Sir E. Grey and Mr McKenna have been completely outfaced f>y foreign diplomats." MR FISHER WITHDRAWS HIS RESOLUTION. (Received June 3, 9 a.m.) LONDON, June 2. Mr Fisher withdrew his resolution, " arid a motion approving Sir Edward tJrey's -rtatement was passed. ' Sir Joseph Ward's proposal approving of the Declaration was then carried", the Australian delegates alone abstaining from voting.