ENGLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7542, 13 August 1886, Page 2

ENGLAND.

(Received August 13, 1.10 a.m.) London, August 11. A deputation of members of A the Imperial Federation League- waited today upon the Marquis of. Salisbury to urge that a conference should' lie held, •or a Royal Commission (including colonial delegates) be_ appointed, to; suggest means, for collective action, in the dbfence of British ports in time of war, for - . promoting .commercial interests and postal . . and telegraphic communication; to further : the maintenance of peace, and to g^jjire . a close nriion of the Empire: Mr James ■ Service,- in a speech on behalf of the - •deputation, alluded in bitter terms to the ' way in which the;;lmperial Government , "had in former years neglected. colonial' interests, but hoped that this was now " changed. If the Government were capable of negotiating with- France for her withdrawal from the New Hebrides- •-. ' and New Caledonia, such a step would bind Australia closer than over to the Mother. Country. The Marquis of Salisbury,' in reply, stated that he was unable on his own authority to answer the request of - the deputation, but he would consult his colleagues on 'the matter. He said he - fully recognised ' the importance of the deputation, " and was impressed by 'the - ; rapid growtli of tho federation movement/; He believed that it was a mistake to con- ■ • sider tho mo venieiit. unreal, and thought that the wisest course would be to formulate 'a scheme. The Government would 'always Keep" the 'desire forfederalion before them. His Lordsliip. went on to'say.that lie approved the views of Captain Colomb regarding Imperial defences. The Government would confer thereon with a number of leading colonists.' The ~ remarks which had been made by. Mr Service regarding New Caledonia were :" outside the range of practical politics. Lord Salisbury concluded by praising the energy the colonies had shown in matters of defence. ' . ' ... * In the collision which occurred at the funeral of the victims by. the recent riots at Belfast one of the rioters 'was shot by . the police. "