THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 7181, 7 April 1887, Page 2

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

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

LONDON, April 5. (Received April C, 1887, at 10.15 p.m.) The second meeting of the Imperial Conference took place at the Colonial Office today, and lasted two hours and a-half. The question of the naval defences of the Australian colonies was thoroughly discussed. All the Australasian delegates were present, as well as Lord George Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty; and Admiral Sir Arthur Flood and Admiral Sir Anthony Hoskins, Naval Lords of the Admiralty. Each of the Australasian delegates stated his views on the subject, and it was found that a wide dilfcrence of opinion existed. No resolutions were taken. The delegates of the other colonies were present during the debate, but took no part in it. The discussion was adjourned until the 18th inst. to enable the delegates to consult their respective Ministries with reference to the proposals made by the Imperial Government. [Special to Press Association.] LONDON, April 5. (Received April 6,1887, at 7.20 p.m.) At the Conference to-day, Lord George Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty, proposed that the Australian fleet should be increased, supplementing the present squadron by five cruisers and torpedo boats. England will undertake the construction of these vessels if the colonies will maintain them, the whole fleet to be under the control of the Admiral. The contributions from the colonies would be L 120.000 per annum in time of war, and LOO,OOO during peace; also the sum of L 30.000 annually should be paid into a sinking fundi The reliefs for the squadron would be triennial. The Victorian Government have agreed to the maintenance proposals, but have objected to the sinking fund, contending that the expense they have to bear in connection with their local fleet should be taken as a set-off. Mr Dower, pn behalf of South Australia,has concurred in. the proposals, and the Government of New South Wales has accepted the offer, urging upon the Admiralty liberal treatment.

Sir S. Griffith (Queensland) and Mr Dodds (representative of Tasmania) have also concurred in the proposals. The New Zealand Government will arrange separately. Lord Hamilton declined to abate the amount of the sinking fund, stating that it ought to have been L 40.000. A long discussion took place on the proposal, but no agreement was arrived at, the Victorian delegates remaining firm on the question of the sinking fund. A private Australian conference on the matter is projected. The delegates will pay a visit to Sir Win. Armstrong’s factory at Elswiek at Easter, and Portsmouth on the 13th. Sir Reginald Hamson, Lord Mayor of London, will entertain the colonial representatives at a banquet on May 4.

LONDON, April 6. (Received April 7, 1837, at 12.50 p.m.) At the Conference yesterday Mr Downer read his speech, because, as he said, he could not trust himself to speak without emotion. Mr Deakin said that the action of the Imperial Government in convening the Conference was eminently gratifying, and indicated a better appreciation of the colonies on the part of the Empire. The time was not very long ago when English Ministers would never have dreamed of sending such an invitation to the colonies, but there never was a time when the colonies would not gladly have accepted an invitation to send representatives to confer M'ith the Imperial authorities on questions of Imperial and colonial interest. He alluded to the inertness frequently displayed _in the Foreign and Colonial Office in relation to questions of great importance to the colonies, and remarked that while the official despatches showed that successive Cabinets were filled with the very best intentions, the result was often most unsatisfactory. He compared the vacillating policy of England regarding the annexation of New Guinea with the vigorous action of Germany. Speaking of the deportation of recidivistes to the Pacific, he said that some of the colonies were eager to obtain an expression of opinion from the Imperial Government as to whether Australasia is to have the taint of convictism of the worst class thrust upon it. Victoria was determined to use every effort to ventilate the question to the fullest extent, with the view to obtaining a satisfactory settlement of the matter. The representatives of that Colony were, however, prepared to submit to the desire of the majority. Earl Granville urged that the colonies and colonial questions should be treated by British statesmen apart from the influence of party feelings. In that lay the only hope of securing continuity and consistency in their Colonial policy. Mr Stanhope was of opinion that the present was a specially favorable time to consider the question of the defence of the Empire.