THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 7166, 21 March 1887, Page 2

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE

[By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] [Reuter’s Telegrams.]

LONDON. March 18,

In the House of Lords to-day, replying to a question put by Earl Harrowby, Earl Onslow (Under-secretary for the Colonies) stated that the Government attached great, importance to the approaching Conference, and would heartily welcome representatives of Crown colonies. Representatives from nearly every British colony would attend the opening of the Conference. [‘Argus’ Special to Press Association.] LONDON. March 17. With the exception of the first meeting the sittings of the Conference will bo held with closed doors. Crown colonies are not officially represented, but Sir Henry Holland has invited several gentlemen specially conversant with the Crown colonies to attend the opening, and they will ho permitted to attend subsequent meetings when matters of which they have knowledge are under consideration. Sir Henry Holland will preside when convenient, and in hia absence Lord Onslow, Mr Hamilton, private secretary of the Colonial Office, will act as secretary. A feeling of regret is widespread at the decision to hold the meetings in private, as the various new spapers had made elaborate pre parations for reporting the proceedings. An opinion prevails that the Queen ought to open the Conference. Premier Downer of South Australia purposes to move that the Imperial Government be asked to introduce a Bill for the purpose of making it legal to extradite absconding debtors. LONDON, March 20. (Received March 21,1887. at 2 p.m.) Mr Dodds, tho Tasmanian delegate, has arrived. ‘ The Times,’ in an article on the scope and object of the Colonial Conference, characterises it as the most interesting gathering of Imperial and colonial representatives that has ever been called together. The Conference must bo regarded as the most memorable event of the Jubilee year. ‘The Times,’ discussing the important questions to be considered, especially mentions the ocean postal service, which is denounced as being utterly inadequate to the progress of the age and tho rapid development of British possessions. Its defects are glaring and the system bad, whilst it is more costly than it should bo. 'Jho question of Imperial Federation will be discussed, but the opinion is expressed that tho time has not yet arrived for giving practical effect to any scheme for effecting the g political federation of tho Empire. The 1 Morning Chronicle,’ in an article on the Conference, refers in hopeful terms to it, and says that it is HkGy to lead to beneficial national results. Commenting on tho decision not to allow a full measure of representation at tho Conference to the Crown colonies equally with autonomous colonics, the ‘Chronicle’ would like to have seen every colony represented on the occasion, which would practically have made the Conference a federal parliament.