IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7827, 21 June 1909, Page 2

IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, June 19. Mr Syme, a Victorian delegate, m an interview, paid a high tribute to the efforts of the Conference. He said that he had been particularly struck . by the unity of opinion among men of different schools of politics regarding the necessity for a strong Navy. Glasgow University has decided to confer on Monday the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon the following delegates: Mr Graham (Montreal), Mr Macdonald (Toronto), Mr Cunningham (Melbourne), Mr Ward (Sydney), Mr Park (Capetown), and. Mr Reid (Bom* bay). At a banquet m connection with the Manchester Ship Canal the large company injjiuded the Lord Mayor, a largo numbed ftf leading business men, and several delegates to the. Imperial Press Conference. Mr Ashworth, president of the Chamber of Commerce, deprecated beating jthe Imperial drum; he declared that the dire foreboding of. a rupture be- ; tween the Motherland, and her dependencies had little countenance m j commercial circles m Manchester. I Mr JT. W. Ward (Sydney) said that Ino serious diminution "m Australia's trade was likely m the near "future, whatever Britain's fiscal policy might be. Australia, being a gold-producer, could not "bo paid gold for ncr wool and dairy produce. Eighty per cent, of Australians were native-born, and I they would never see -England unless . v some extraordinary revolution. in~" methods of transit were brought about. The problem of the Australian Presa was to make the native population understand Britain. The delegates, upon their return, would strive to shape their papers with a view to doing this effectually. In the event of Britain losing command of the Atlantic, Canada would bo able to secure safety by lifting a finger to the United States and becoming merged-:-.therein, but Australia might fall into the hands of a Power that would force the people to learn a new language and adopt other social habits; hence an open ocean route was a matter of life and death to Australia. In time the United Kingdom's Navy would become the United Empire Navy." One of the most distressful aspects of English life was the living conditions of some women and children m English cities. Such deplorable sights were impossible m Australia. Could not England join the colonies m bettering the lot of the poor ? , • <- . - Mr Douglas (Auckland) said that the Press delegates would return with a deeper conception of the greatness of the Motherland and the warmest affec- ; tion for her and her people. Mr Temperley (New J36ujh Walee) declared that on the question of the Empire there was not a jarring note among the colonial Press. The representatives all agreed that the colonies must stand together m common defence when the hour of trouble arrived. Reecived June 21. 8.40 a.m. " ' LONDON, Juno 20. Mr Hugh Graham hass—on behalf of the Press delegates and m recognition' ' of the pleasure they have derived from: the naval and military reveiws—given £100 to the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and £100 to the Sailors' Orphans* ■ Home.