IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE STANDING COMMITTEE. SUBSIDIARY MEETINGS PREFERRED. MIGRANTS OF EMPIRE. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, June 9. The sittings of the Imperial Conference were resumed yesterday. Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) presided, and outlined his proposal for a Standing Committee to bridge the gap between the Conferences. Mr. Harcourt referred to the provision made in 1907 for a subsidiary conference. He suggested now that matters coming within the purview of the Conference, which could not be dealt by a subsidiary conference, should be referred to a standing committee of the Conference, comprising representatives of the Dominions. j A SUBSIDIARY CONFERENCE. The committee would virtually be a subsidiary conference, not limited to one subject, meeting at more or less regular 'intervals, to transact business that°was referred to it by the Secretary of State, wuh the assent of the Dominions. It would be advisory and not executive, and deal with matters concerning a past conference, or preparations for an approaching one. The committee's advice would be given to the Secretary of State, and communicated to the Dominions through the Governor-Generals, though the High Commissioners would be free to inform their Governments about the proceedings. The Dominions would have power to appoint special representatives instead of the High Commissioners. Mr. Harcourt intimated that the Government did not wish to press the resolution unless it were unanimously favoured. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. Sir Joseph Ward said that it would be a considerable improvement if the gap between the mnferences could ho. bridged. : While he did not agree with all the sug- | gestions in Mr. Harcourt's memorandum, Ihe thought that with slight alterations they would meet the ease." He. was willing to accept the proposal as evidence of the Home Government's desire to provide marhinerv which, while facilitating practical decisions by way of suggestion, would leave the ultimate power in the hands of the Government.*. Mr. Harcourt said that in deference to criticisms that had been made, he proposed to omit the reference to the High Commissioners as representatives of the Dominions, leaving it to the different Governments to appoint whom they pleased. BETWEEN THE CONFERENCES. Mr. Fisher declared that the time had arrived when somebody should carry on the work between the conferences, and thought the proposal would enable the discussion of the views of tbe Dominions. Hitherto, responsible Ministers bad told the Conference what they could about their respective Departments, but now they had taken the delegates entirely into their confidence on matters of great concern, hence it was mjre neeessarv to have a subsidiary body to facilitate close communication. He agreed that the committee should be purely advisory, and that freedom should be given to the Dominions to select their representatives. He thought that the conferences would now have to be Jield at shorter periods than four years, unless large powers were entrusted to some person or body.

STANDING OF THE MOVERS. Mr. Botha said he could not accept the proposal as it stood. The object of the Conference was to secure uniformity, and to obtain the attendance of members of some standing. This would not be secured if some of the Dominions were to appoint their High Commissioners and others to select officials of a different kind. He thought that Ministers presiding at the Conference should be responsible for carrying out its decisions. He favoured siibsi- | diary conferences to consider special j questions. Tho standing committee ought j not to discuss special matters or interfere with the work of responsible govI eminent. i LAUKrES SATISFIED. Sir W. Laurier viewed seriously any I interference between the Home and DoI minion Governments. He considered J that the organisation of the Colonial j Office had give n ample satisfaction. i Mr. Milan (South Africa) said that if 1 the committee were to be advisory to | the Secretary of State, it seemed to' fol- ! low that the conferences were also advisory. If the committee only acted under instructions the matters could be just as well dealt with through the Governor-Generals. Mr. Harcourt declared that the proposal was intended to meet what tho Government believed some of the Dominions desired. It did not imply that the. Home Government was conscious ot any deficiency in the Colonial Office machinery for all Imperial purposes.

THE SUPREME DECISION. i Sir Joseph Ward stated that there were some extraordinary misconceptions las to the nature of the proposal. The | Dominions would still retain the supreme decision. He failed to sec how dangers would arise if the Conference relegated

I important matters to a sub-committee j Obviously there must be complex sub I jects that could be better dealt by a I standing committee. However well the j Secretary of State discharged his duties, I there were matters from the standpoint of the Dominions which it would be 1 unfair and improper to ask the Colonial | Secretary to undertake. Questions of vital importance discussed by previous cenferences remained unsettled, and likely to remain so for want of machinery ' to thresh cut details. He instanced the question of double income tax, death duties, and Suez Canal dues. Distance increased the difficulties of Australia and New Zealand in attending subsidiary conferences, compared with the other Dominions. The idea prevailed that if the proposal were carried it would help the Imperial Council idea. He was satisfied that that would come when public opinion was ripe. Air. Harcourt undertook to give effect before next Conference to all the questions decided by this Conference. FAST CONFESSSCES. Mr. Batchelor (Federal Minister for External Affairs) asked whether the many resolutions passed by the previous j conference had resulted in concrete action,, instancing' in particuj,a£.j^t4iral4sa-

Mr. Harcourt said that a general resolution as to naturalisation had been carried, but the moment the individual Dominions had been consulted, acute differences arose. Sir Joseph Ward: That was due to the absence of machinery to work out details. Sir Edward Morris (Premier of Newfoundland) said that the Conference illustrated what little effective work it was possible to accomplish. THE MOTION WITHDRAWN. Mr. Botha said that no Government would allow itself to be ruled by a committee of it 3 creation. It might be a false step, tending to breaking down more than building up. Mr. Harcourt said that while the discussion was informative, the want of unanimity compelled him to withdraw his motion.

EMIGRATION POLICY,

WITHIN THE EMPIRE. ORGANISING THE SYSTEM. (Received 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, June 9. At the Congress to-day, Mr. Harcourt presiding. Mr. Fisber formally moved the reaffirmation of the 1907 immigration resolution. "That it is desirable to encourage emigration to British colonies rather than to foreign countries.

Mr. Batchelor said the Conference would doubtless agree in encouraging emigration within their Empire. Australia, like others, was drawing on Britain for a portion of the population, and was naturally anxious that her own race should be kept within the Empire. There seemed to be some lack of precise information in the Emigrants' Information Department. He suggested the inclusion of representatives of the dominions on the committee to increase this knowledge. ERITISHERS PREFERRED. Sir Joseph Ward said that New Zealand did not favour the wholesale system of emigration, and naturally preferred Britishers. It imposed a strict test merely to exclude aliens, and saw no reason to change the views expressed in 1007. MUST NOT EMPTY THE TANK.

Mr. John Burns (President of tha Local Government Board) said that since the last Conference the ohjects of the resolution had been secured to a great extent. The dominions in 1.107 received 54 per cent of British immigrants, OS per cert in 1010, while the figures of the four months for 1011. if they were maintained, would show 80 per cent. In tbe latter period .Australia and New Zealand received 10_000 more than in the corresponding period of 1,010. The increase justified the work of organisation of the Emigrant Department. This type of emigrant had also improved. Emigration in 1010 represented 00 per cent of the 1 nited Kingdom's natural increase, and the lower death rate and lower infantile mortality alone prevented the drain being serious. With a diminishing birth rati? it was unsafe for Britain to exceed 300.000 emigrants yearly.

The dominions were entitled to the overflow, but must not empty the tank. He advise,l the Conference to let well alone, and trust the Mother Country. He bad nothing but praise for the way in which the dominions cared for emigrant children passing through his department. Occasional complaints of the rigorous standard ill regard to adults had been received, but lately the dominions had been more generous. A MODIFIED AMENDMENT. Mr. John Burns said Sir Wm. Harcourt's statement was quite satisfactory. Mr. Batc.helor i Federal Minister for External Affairs) said any effort to reduce emigration going outside the Empire by 20 per cent would be appreciated.

Sir Joseph Ward said if the British Colonies were receiving 80 per cent that was as much as they could expect. He suggested altering- the resolution to express approval of the policy pursued, otherwise it might appear as if they were dissatisfied with what had been done. Mr. Fisher did not object. Mr. Wm. Harcourt suggested eliminating the appointment of dominion representatives on the Emigrants Committee. The Department, he said, did not design to promote emigration to particular dominions; its only object was to supply accurate information. It representation were introduced competition might arise, lie would undertake to keep information up-to-date.

Mr. Fisher said Australia had not applied for the inclusion of an education test for Europeans, although for a quinquennium a thousand newspapers had vilified them for doing so. There was greater knowledge of Australian affairs in England to-day than nine years ago, recognising the good work of the various departments in effecting a change.

Sir Wm. Harcourt moved "That tbe present policy of encouraging'emigrants to go to the dominions in preference to foreign countries be continued; that full co-operation be accorded the dominions desiring emigrants.''

Tbe amended resolution was adopted.

INTERCHANGE OF OFFICERS. Mr. Harcourt. discussing Sir Joseph Ward's proposal favouring the interchange of visits of Civil servants between Britain and the dominions, sympathised with the aim to secure greater knowledge between home and abroad, but thought the result might be secured iv a les.- formal way. If the dominions attached officers to the High Commissioners, he would arrange facilities to acquant them with departmental work. Meanwhile the Colonial Office had oflicers serving on the staff of the Governors-Cieneral in Canada and South Africa, and were sending one on a round-the-world visit to the dominions. The motion was carried.