The Premiers' Conference.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 226, 8 July 1902, Page 4

The Premiers' Conference.

0 London, July 3. At the Premiers' Conference Mr Chamberlain cautiously advocated free trade with revenue duties only. = Several of the Premiers are dig. appointed with Mr Chamberlain's indefiniteness and absence of proposals. They explain that it is impossible for the colonies to sup. pore free trade within the Empire, since Customs duties are impers. tively required. _ • \fr Chamberlain submitted no defence proposals, and the Premiers exhibited no disposition to j sanction military expenditure, jthough evincing the utmost willingness to make a sacrifice if the j situation demanded it. Tbe colonial Premiers and the Agents-General are. pressing on the Colonial Office the greater recog. nition of their position afid status, There is a considerable feeling that the Australian States Agencies ; should be conceded superior recog. nition. July 5. To-day the Conference sut for three hours. Sir John Forrest, Mr roster, Admiral distance, Mr Hrodrick, Mr Nicholson (chief of the Intelligence Department of the War Office), Lorn Onslow, Sir M. . Ommanney, and Lord Selborne explained the Admiralty's views on Imperial defence. The proposala "were considered moderate. The ave Premiers spoke on behalf of I their respective Governments. Mr IChamberlain, who presided, spoke last. i The Conference adjourned till {Tuesday, when "commercial relg. jtions" will be considered.