THE PREMIER'S CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 66, 18 March 1915, Page 6

THE PREMIER'S CONFERENCE.

DEFENCE AND TARIFF. OUTSIDE ITS SCOPE. MR. MASSEY'S STATEMENT. (By Telegraph. —Own Correspondent.) WEXrLINGTOX, this day. The Premiers* Conference announced by the Commonwealth Prime Minister is to have a somewhat limited scope, according to the impression gained from the Rt. Hon. W. F. Maseey by your correspondent. The Prime Minister said it was quite correct that when Mr. Fisher, the Federal Prime Minister, wae recently in New Zealand, a conference of the State Premiers, including New Zealand, was discussed. "However, no invitation lias yet reached mc," continued Mr. Maesey. '"1 have no doubt that something will come to hand later on. There are, of course, very important questions which could be discussed with advantage at snch a gathering. Such a matter ac reciprocity in •workmen's compensation, for example. The question of old age pensions reciprocity, however, ie a Federal, not a State matter, and the same applies to reciprocity in Customs. Aβ for defence, that is a question into which the Imperial government must come, so it would be at present somewhat outside the scope of the su-igested conference." The Prime Minister concluded by saying lie was not fu.lly informed as to what was intended, and he scarcely expected that he would be invite.il to attend prior to the meeting of Parliament. iSucli a conference, however, was to be welcomed as an opportunity of getting into closer touch with our near neighbours and kinsmen. !