THE DOMINIONS IN CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1135, 24 May 1911, Page 7

THE DOMINIONS IN CONFERENCE.

OPENING OF A NEW ERA. "TIMES " ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GATHERING. UNITED FOREIGN POLICY. By Teleeraph—Press Association—Copyriaht (fee. May 21, 0.10 a.m.) London, May 23. "The Times" states that the Imperial Conference of 1007 established an «qunl notional status for live constituent parts of the- Empire, and declared itself a conference of Governments with Governments. As such it reassembles in 1911. The Question of national status being settled, the question of national responsibility takes its place. Shall these Governments have five foreign policies, or be jointly responsible for one policy? There can bo no doubt about tho answer they will give. The sentiment indicates it even moro clearly than interest, for, come what may, the peoples of the Empire are determined to be one. But sentiment will not solve how in practice a single policy is to be maintained. That pressing problem this conference must face. The need can only be met by closer touch between the five Cabinets during all the months of every year. The Conference may not be able- to agree on an immediate step towards that end, but it will have done much if it only demonstrates the urgency of the step. The importance of the present Conference is that foreign relations and defence will be for the first time the main subject of discussion. THE OFFICIAL OPENING. ME. ASQUITH TO PRESIDE. . London, May 22. Tho Conference will open at 11 o'clock to-morrow. It is likely the press will be admitted during Mr. Asquith's speech of welcome to tho delegates. The Conferenco will afterwards decide whether the subsequent proceedings shall be open to tho press. The Conference will sit four mornings weekly at the Foreign Office. Other sittings will be according as the necessity arises. QUESTION OF PUBLICITY. ARE THE DOORS TO BE CLOSED? (Rec. May 23, 11 p.m.) London, May 23. Tho "Daily Express" states that once in every four years tho Prime Ministers of the Dominions .spend a month in England, "and," it adds, "we show our sense of the privilege of getting to know what they haTO to say by making it impossible to hear their voices." The "Morning Leader" also hopes that without impairing the efficiency of the Conference a satisfactory method will be found of gratifying the vory natural public desiro: to hear what such welcome visitors as Sir Wilfrid Laurier, General Botha, and Mr. Fisher have to say. IMPERIAL COUNCIL SCHEME. SIR JOSEPH WARD INTERVIEWED. London, May 22. Sir Joseph Ward, in an.interview, said tho Empire was so big and scattered, and its growth so rapid that there was necessity for devising a method of united action in great emergencies of vital interest. -It was essential to iiavo in peace limo a system which would always bo ready and effective for operation in timo of war. Ho expressed the hopo that the Imperial Conference would be convinced that it was possible to erect machinery for the accomplishment of this purpose. Within a quarter of a century the Overseas Dominions would bo moro powerful in population, wealth, and production than the Motherland was to-day. He was referring not to accumulated wealth, but to the direct productiveness of the soil and tho industries. "The voico of the Dominions," continued Sir Joseph Ward, "must be heard in matters of Empire as a whole. The brightest and best intellects of tho Old Oountry and tho New ought to combine in producing a system invigorating to tho body and limbs of the Greatest Empire tho world has seen." THE VANCOUVER SERVICE. POSITION OF. NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, May 23. Mr. W. A. Holraan, Acting-Premier of New South Wales,- has written to Mr. Hughes, Acting-Federal Prime Minister, declaring that the New South Wales Government has felt some concern in tho matter of tho maintenance of a regular service between Sydney and Vancouver. Tho new contract between tho Canadian and New Zealand Governments does not oblige tho contractors to send steamers west, of Auckland. The steamers will probably run to Australia, but New Zealand has preference over their cargo space. Apart from the consideration of the money annually expended .in connection with tho steamers on wages, coaling, and docking, amounting to ,€IOO,OOO, there is a possibility of jeopardising trade. Mr. Holman has urged Mr. Hughes to communicate with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, Mr. Fisher, now in London, in view of an approaching conference with Sir Wilfrid LaurieMr. Hughes has replied that ho has forwarded Mr. Holman's representations to Mr. Fisher. Mr. Holman states that unless something is douo the State Government will consider tho question of a' contribution sufficiout to secure space for New South Wales. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. WHAT THE LAST CONFERENCE ' DID. London, May 22. Tho "Daily Mail" (Unionist) asks: "Is it not a good omen that the Coronation and tho Imperial Conference should happen in the same year? The last conferenco was directly or indirectly responsible for tho confederation of Australia and South Africa, tho creation of colonial armies and nnvies, tho reduction of tariffs against British goods, and penny postago. Even moro important is tho effect tho conferences havo had on tho opinions, tendencies, and policy throughout ; tho Empire."

Tho "Mail" emphasises Australia's'pro, test against the Declaration of Loudon,

BOUND BY HOOPS OF STEEL. London, May 22. Tho "Daily Chroniclo" (Liberal) states that it must lie a sourco of great satisfaction to tho King, who has travelled in every part of the Empire, that distinguished statesmen from the Dominions arc to participate in tho Coronation ceremonies. Tho liberty given to tho colonics had proved that no parchment

binds (ho Motherland and her daughters; they are united, as by hoops of .steel, in tics of race, language-, common ideals, and community of interest.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONFERENCE. (Rcc. May 23, 11 p.m.) London, May 23. The "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal) anticipates that the first development of the Conference will be tho recognition of the. national stains of the Dominions by tho separation of the rest of the colonies into a different Department. The programme .shows how large is the sphere of cooperation in various matters. The first step in the development of the Conference will be the development of tho secretariat. Might not the secretariat, the journal asks, be Imperialiscd? THE SOCIAL ROUND. A ROYAL LUNCHEON. London, May 22. The Dominion Prime Ministers and their ladies to-day attended a luncheon at Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales, tho Duko of Connaught, Prince Arthur of Conuaught, tho Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Mr. and Mrs. Asquith, and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Harcourt were present. The King chatted with the delegates individually for an hour and a half. There were no speeches. Other guests included Colonial Office, officials, ladies and gentlemen of tho court, Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor, Dr. and Mrs. Findlay, and Senator Pcarce. A Capo Town and Ehodesian contingent of forty-eight was also present. Lady Ward sat on the King's left, and Princess Christian on his right. ■ The overseas delegates afterwards met at the Colonial Office to nrrango for tho social engagements in connection with the Imperial Conference. 'A BRILLIANT FUNCTION. (Rec. May 23, 11.15 p.m.) London, May 23. Thirty thousand invitations wore- issued for tho Foreign Office reception, which was tho largest and most brilliant of recent years. Every member of tho Houses of Parliament, every Privy Councillor, and many high officials and colonial residents were invited. Lord Beauchamp, First Commissioner of Wales, was the official host on behalf of tho Government Entertainment Committee. Tho entrance hall and staircaso were converted into, a fairyland of flowers, tho national colours predominating. MR. ASQUITH'S GUESTS. London, May 22. Mr. Asqnith's guests to-night included Lord Lorchnrn (Lord Chancellor), tho Earl of Aberdeen (Lord Lieutenant of Ireland), Lord Minto (ex-Viceroy of India), Earl Eeauchamp (First Commissioner of Works and an ex-Governor of New South Wales), Lord Milner, FieldMarshal Lord Kitchener, Lord Tennyson (cx-Goveruor-General of Australia), Lord Denman (Governor-General-clect of Australia), Lord Brassey (an ox-Governor of Victoria), Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia), and Sir William Hall-Jones (High Commissioner for Now Zealand). COLONIAL -OFFICE GARDEN PARTY. (Rec. May 23, 10 p.m.) London; May 23. Two thousand invitations have been issued for to-day's garden party at Downing Street.