EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10259, 10 June 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE CONFERENCE

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

1 AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL COMMITTEE OF ADVICE. (Received Last Night, 10 o'clock.) LONDON, June 9. At the Imperial Conference to-day, the Hon. V. Harcourt, Minister for External Affairs, produced a memorandum referring to the provision in 1907 for a Subsidiary Conference. He suggested now that matters coming within the purview of the Conference, which could not be dealt with by the Subsidiary Conference, should be referred to a standing Committee of the Conference, comprising representatives of the Dominions. This committee would virtually lie a'Subsidiary Conference, and would not be limited to one subject. It would meet at more or less regular intervals, *.nd transact business referred to it by the Secretary of State, with the assent of the Dominions. It would be advisory, and not an executive, and would deal with matters concerning the past Conference, or preparations for the approaching one. The Committee's advice would be given to the Secretary of State, and communicated to the Dominions through the Governors-Gen-eral and the High Commissioners free, and would inform the Government about its proceedings. The Dominions would have the power to appoint a special representative instead of the High Commissioner. Mr Harcourt intimated that the Government (lid not wish to press the resolution unless it was unanimously approved. SIR JOSEPH WARD. Sir Joseph Ward said a considerable improvement would be effected if the gao between the conferences wad bridged. The machinery provided would deal with questions not brought to a final issue. While he did not agree with all the suggestions contained in the memorandum, he thought that, with slight alterations, they would meet the case. The existing machinery was insufficient. He was willing to accept the proposal as evidence of the Home Government's desire for machinery which, while facilitating practical decisions by the way of suggestion, would leave the ultimate power in the hands of the Governments. HIGH COMMISSIONERS OMITTED. Mr Harcourt said that, in deference to the criticism of delegates, he proposed to omit any reference to High Cimmissioners, as representatives, leaving the different Governments to appoint whom they pleased. MR FISHER FAVOURABLE. Mr A. Fisher, Primo Minister of the Commonwealth, declared that the time had arrived for somebody to carry on the work between Conferences. He thought the proposal would enable the discussion of the views of the Dominions. Hitherto responsible Ministers had told the Conference as little as they could about the respective Departments ; but now they had taken the delegates entirely into their confidence in matters of great concern. Hence, it was more necessary to have a subsidiary body to facilitate close communication. He agreed that the Committee should be purely advisory, with the freedom of the Dominions to, select their representatives. In view of the confidence extended, he thought the Conferences would have to be held at shorter periods than four years, unless larger powers were entrusted to some person or body. ... GENERAL BOTHA OPPOSES. General Botha said he could not accept the proposal as it stood. The object of the Conference was to secure uniformity and obtain the attendance of members of some standing. Tin 1 * would not be secured if some of the Dominions appointed their High Commissioner and others selected officials of a different kind. He thought that the Ministers presiding at the Conference should be responsible for the carrying out of the decision. He favoured subsidiary conferences to consider special questions. A standing Committee ought not to discuss special matters or interfere with the work of the responsible Government. He failed to see how a Committee could do the work any better. The Conference had a comprehensive agenda paper, while the outcome of the proposal would be the discussion of one or two important matters not appearing on the agenda. SIR WILFRID LAURIER. Sir Wilfrid Laurier viewed seriously any interference between the Home and Dominion Governments, The organisation at the Colonial Office had given ample, satisfaction. MR MALAN'S OPINION. Mr Malan said that if the Committee was to be,advisory to the Secretary of State, it seemed to follow that the Conference would also be advisory. If the Committee acted under instructions, matters could will be dealt with through the GovernorsGeneral. MR HARCOURT IN REPLY. The Hon. ,Mr Harcourt declared that the Government had no intention in its proposal derogatory to the