CABLE NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 265, 14 May 1907, Page 4

CABLE NEWS.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. [BT ELECTRIC TKLEGBAPH — COPYRIGHT.] [PBB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] London, May 13. Earl Crowe speaking at Cambridgo said the interchange of views on Imi perial defence alone made the conference a success, and had done much to justify hope that more might yet be done for closer union. Regarding preference Government were plaoyj where they were keeping the bridge in the interest of freetrade and the Colonial Premiers entirely recognis ed the position. The Irish Council Bill was moderate and doubtless a great many Liberals were disappointed at the small scope of the Bill, but a considerable numler thought it went far enough. He did not believe that in matters of constitutional change it was wise to go far ahead of the party, and whether increasing self-government in Ireland or dealing with relations between the Lords ana Commons, caution was needed in order to secure the party's general support. Mr Walter Long, speaking at »'res ton, said Sir H. Campbell-Ban lierm an had slandered the Unionists by suggesting that they used the conference as a party weapon. The conference told them nothing new, but it was undeniable that it had .'arried ihe great controversy many miles further along the road. Every Inionisfc would thankfully accept Ihe proposition if it emanated from Government. These colonial proposals should be dealt with as a non-party qvestion. _ mmmmmmmmmmmm^ mmm^