THE CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9984, 14 March 1898, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—

Copyright. Received March 12th, 10.30 a.m.

Melbourne, March 12.

The Premiers' conference declined to take joint action in regard to Antarctic exploration. It was resolved that the colonies which have not already done so should pass an Aliens Bill, on the lines of the Natal Act. Queensland did not join in this resolution. It was resolved that any Federal tarifi Should give preference to the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom, and in default of an early Federal tariff, the Premiers to recommend their various Cabinet 3to alter the tariffs to give such preference. It was resolved that if Great Britain and Canada contribute a third each of the cost, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania will favourably consider the proposal for a Pacific cable. Mr Kingston and Sir J. Forrest declined to join in this resolution, preferring the Cape route. The principle of Federal quarantine was agreed to. Sir E. C. Braddon undertook to try and secure the co-operation of New Zealand. It is understood that Auckland will be the quarantine station for New Zealand, and Hobart for Australia.

The Conference decided not to participate in the Mississippi Exhibition; it decided against a joint display of colonial resources in London ; and it was unable to advise any postal reduction to Great Britain. It was resolved that all the colonies except South Australia agree for the present not to give notice of the termination of the existing arrangements in connection with the auxiliary squadron. Mr Kingston preferred another scheme, and held himself at liberty to give notice of it at any time. It was resolved that if, within three months, Victoria does not elect to establish a cordite factory, New South Wales may hold itself at liberty to establish one, the colonies to favourably consider taking their supplies from the colonial factory. It was decided against having a joint Australasian court at the Paris exhibition. It was resolved that, as France had recently imposed restrictions on the sale of arms and ammunition to the natives of New Caledonia, representations be made requesting France to do similarly in the New Hebrides, and if such action be not taken within a reasonable period, Great Britain .should remove the restrictions on -British subjects. It was resolved that the colonies possessing mints should mgJre application to coin silver on the conditions of similar coinage in Great Britain. The Conference is now closed.