PREMIER'S CONFERENCE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 239, 5 February 1897, Page 2

PREMIER'S CONFERENCE.

AN ABORTIVE MEETING. (l'<r Preus Association—Copyright.) llobart, Feb. 4. At the Premiers' Conference the question of granting free passes over the intercolonial railways to the > familes of members of Parliament and neighboring colonies was considered. It was decided that members only should be allowed to travel free. The Conference agreed that there should be uniformity of legislation with regard to merchandise marks. It was determined to carry out the recommendations of the Ministers of Agriculture that a similar law be passed by the respective colonies providing for the inspection and branding of exportable produce. The proposal that an otlicer of the Royal Engineers should be appointed as inspector of fortifications for all the colonies at a salary of £IOOO was adopted. This day. The Premier's Conference terminated last night, after three days' close work. No resolutions of any importance were arrived at. and, as far as a practicable way of bringing the colonies together is concerned, the Conference proved abortive. Several questions in which the colonies are deeply interested were either dropped altogether or shelved. The matter of intercolonial reciprocity, which was the principal object Mr Seddon had in view, proved too dangerous a subject to handle, and it was resolved to postpone its consideration wutil after the ivnewal of the agreement with the Imperial Government regarding the Pacific Squadron was settled. The present arrangement is most unsatisfactory, and if any alteration is required something must be done during the present year. However, big interests conilieted, and nothing was done in the matter. The matters upon which resolutions were adopted w«.-re comparatively trivial 0!lt:s. Later. At the Premiers' conference, Mr Chamberlain's suggestions for closer trade relations throughout the Empire produced a long discussion, and ft was resolved that the Conference favor-! clo.-x-r trade relations on the bases of mutual advantage, but is of opinion thai full euqmrv bv i commission ot t\p tr->d o ;:■! i-« instituted, and that h tn ite \ -oposala subsequently made should iu.n\i fullest considerat