IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 14495, 21 February 1911, Page 6

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

'THE EMIGRATION QUESTION. A CENTRAL CLEARING-HOUSE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 20. The ‘ Daily Chronicle ’ emphasises the importance of the Imperial Conference discussing, the question of emigration, particularly the resolutions to he submitted on behalf of Australia, and the British resolution regarding labor exchanges. Tho paper’s Labor correspondent says the idea is for a central exchange, to serve as a clearing-house for the Empire’s surplus labor in various parts of the Empire, and to make frequent reports, tho British exchanges arranging for a temporary or permanent transfer of surplus labor where a demand exists. The correspondent adds that n factor in the situation making for uncertainty is the attitude of the trades unions and the Labor leaders, who are believed to bo strongly opposed to the Stateaided immigration, of the unemployed. If the Conference agree to t!ie scheme the trade unions may oppose it. SIR J. G. WARD AS LEADER. LONDON, February 20. The ‘Daily Telegraph’ says that Sir Joseph Ward will very likely be tho leader of the party of consolidation at the Imperial Conference, but tho party who are averse to experiment in essentials are cure to have an overwhelming ascendant. The Conference is not likely to be of a showy kind, appealing to the Empire’s imagination. It will rather deal with legal technicalities, such as nationalisation, navigation, and cable rates. It is poseiblo, too, that practical shape will be given to the “All Rod” route. AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL THE QUESTION OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. LONDON, February 20. (Received February 21, at 8.52 a.m.) The 1 Manchester Guardian ’ says that New Zealand’s proposals, especially concerning tho Imperial Council and tho High Commissioners’ status, show a conscious pride of nationhood, which is an eloquent testimony of the success of tho Liberal colonial jiolicy of self-government. The pa.]wr asks whether Sir J. G. Ward’s Imperial Council proposal docs not slur over tho groat difficulty of an equitable distribution of the Empire’s burdens. The burden of defending India rests on the United Kingdom alone. Therefore the extent to which the Dominions aspire to a partnership in the direction of Imperial affairs they should logically assume a corresponding degree of military, naval, and financial responsibility. THE CANADIAN VIEW. LONDON, February 20 (Received February 21, at 8.5 a.m.) The ‘Daily Telegraph’ adds that it is unlikely that Sir W. Laurier will countenance New Zealand’s Council of State for the Empire. The Dominions, however, ought to standardise their immigration requirement.'-, so as to come into relations with British machinery, including the Labor Exchanges. WHY PREFERENCE WAS TABOOED. MELBOURNE, February 21. (Received February 21, at 11 a.m.) Speaking in further reference to the cabled Press comments on tho omission of Preferential Trade from the business-sheet of the Imperial Conference, Mr Fisher said that no doubt the Dominions were influenced by tho fact that the matter had been fully discussed at the last Conference, when tho same Government were in power in the United Kingdom.