CABLE NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Feilding Star, 17 May 1907, Page 2

CABLE NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

* [BT BLBOTBIC TELEGRAPH— OOPYBIGH-.] [NEB PBBSS ASdOCIA.ION.] N. "'VFOUNDLAND. London, May 16. Mr Churchill, . reply to Mr Lebmann, emphatically contradicted the newspaper report that Mr Bond was complaining of gross humiliation inflicted on him and his colony, and that he quitted the Conference in indignation. (Received May 17th, 8.40 a.m.) London, May 16. Sir R. Bond, interviewed, states, "I received a most respectful hearing from members of the Government, and most sympathetic support from •^'.er Premiers. The Imperial Government, did not meet Newfoundland's reasonable demand, but I hope they will use their best endeavours to undo the mischief which the vivendi has occasioned. I trust the embarrassment and humiliation to which the colony has been subjected will not be repeated by a renewal of the arrangement. He added that the vivendi led to a disregard of Newfoundland's constituted authorities. He was deeply disappointed with the result of his appeal for justice. THE NEW ZEALAND DINNER. London, ""v 16. At the New Zealand dim*.* : 'he Hotel Cecil, Lord Ranfuriy, *. .* Gerard Smith, Messrs Fitchett, G. G. Stead, John Duthie, Jas Mills, Beetham, and 200 others were present. Mr Reeves, presiding, said New Zealand had a d">zen commercial trading strings to • - bow all tending to her prosperity. Her only disadvantage was distantv Sir Joseph Ward, he said, voiced -he policy of the Empire of the future when he appealed to the Conference to put their shoulders to the wheel by quickening and cheapening communication. Extreme individualistic or protectionist doctrinaires may object to co-operat-ing, but our Empire was built by practical men. Sir Joseph Ward sympathetically referred to the illness of the Hon. Hall-Jones. It has been impossible for himself to subscribe to the principle of devolution of naval defence owing to the great liabilities the colony would incur. The Premiere did not expect their views on preference to be accepted and they were content to lay the principle before the Motherland. They were not egotistical enough to say "You must follow." The reduction of the distance between England and New Zealand was no dream. It would pay New Zealand over and over again to subsidise to the extent of £100,000 to secure such an Australasian-Vancouver lino if Britain assists in a CanadaBritain line, thereby cheapening food by bringing the producers closer to the markets, and the other colonies dc their part. Messrs Perpival, Jenkins, and Montague Nelson spoke. Sir Joseph Ward, in a speech at Bristol, dwelt' on the influence oi colonials in rejuvenating and strengthening the Motherland and the development of inter-Imperial trade as a means of closer union. AUSTRALIAN MAILS. (Received May 17th, 8.29 a.m.) London. May 16. Sir W" iam Lyne has given the Mail F xdicate notice that if it fail to er .r an additional bond within a week, the contract will be conceited. PREFERENCE. Sir William Lyne, interviewed, said he considers the Government has adopted a callous attitude towards preference. He hopes the discussion will make the British people seriously consider the question. He is doubtful of good results from the secretariat worked by the Colonial Office. Until an Australian coast fleet is a reality it is better for the Admiralty to maintain the existing squadron in Australian waters. He regretted the Conference did not consider what Paciific Islands ought to be included, in the jurisdiction of the Australian coastal trade. Sir W. Lyne addressed a crowded meeting in the London Chamber of Commerce, and promised a hearty welcome to all visiting Australia in 1909. He complained of Mr Asquith'S re-asserting the fiction that the Premiers demanded preference in raw materials required for British manufactures. Sir»W. Lyne insisted that Britain's trade with Australia was not increasing with the same rapidity as that of- foreigners, and dwelt on the unparalleled prosperity of Australia. He was enthusiastically applauded.