The Premiers’ Conference.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 224, 3 July 1902, Page 3

The Premiers’ Conference.

London’, July 1. The Premiers’ Confer, nee has opened. The Premiers, Lord Onslow, and Sir J. Omtnaney were present at the Conference. Sit John Anderson wai appointed secretary. Mr Chamberlain, in presiding, welcomed the delegates- Ho referred to the advance of Imperial Federation since the 1887 Conference owinsr to the establishment of the Commonwealth and the spontaneous assistance of the co'onies in war time. Ho mule a non committal statement, outlining the Lading subjects suggested by him elf aid the Premiers. He invited a frank expression of opinion Sir E. Barton sngges'ecl giving the colonies reasonable consideration in regard to army and navy contract's, asked for a definition of the position of the co’onies in granting Britain a preferential tariff, and the r> lation of their enjoyment of the most favoured nation treatment at the hands of foreign nations, State ownership of ocean cables, mut-al protection i f patent’. Imperial stamp charges on colonial bonds, the establishment of an Imperial Court of Appeal, and the discus-don of the possibility of a mutual tariff within the Empire.

Sir E. Hi me suggested that the naturalisation of aliens in any part of theßritish Empire be sufficient for the whole Empire l Sir Wilfred Laurier adopts a very conservative attitude on the subject of Imperial defence, and considers that the earn tax affords B itain an opportunity of offering concessions in return for additional remissions on English imports into Canada. Sir E. Barton considers that the Conference has bean very satisfactory so far, and ho is hopeful as to its results,

”.t has been arranged that Ministers who accompany F renders will participate in discussions on subjects specially concerning their departments. Consequently Sir John Forrest and Mr Borden (Oauada) wi'l participate in Friday’s discussion.

The Conference will meet subsequently thrice a week. Strict secrecy was enjoined by Mr Chamberl u’n. Mr Seddon will adhere to his published list of subjects, adding a resolution dealing with foreign na ions’ efforts to exclude British vessels from all coastwise trade.

The Conference has adjourned till Fiiffiv, ween the question of Imperial d fence wi 1 be discust>ed.