THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8123, 21 March 1887, Page 4

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE .

[BT 3LSOTRIO TSLSGSAFR COPT3IQBT.J [Esxmaa’s Telegbams.j (Received March 20, at 11 a.m.3 LONDON. March 19. In the House of Lords to-day, replying to a question put by the EarE of Hanwby, Earl Onslow, Undersecretary of State for the Colonies,, stated that the Government attached, great impbrtance to the approaching; Imperial Conference, and would heartily welcome representatives from theCrown Colonies. Representativesfrom nearly every British Colony' would, he added, attend the opening; of the Conference.

[Special to Fr ess Association.} [Received March. 20, at 10 a.m.l LONDON. March 17. With the exception of the firstmeeting, the sitting o£ the Imperial Conference will be held with closed! doors. Crown Colonies are not officially represented, hnt Sir Henry' Holland has invited several gentlemen specially conversant with the Crowns Colonies to attend the opening, and they will be ■ permitted to ! attend subsequent meetings when mattersof which they have knowledge areunder consideration. Sir Henry Holland will preside when convenient*, and in his absence Lord Onslow will? take the chair. Mr W. A. Baillie Hamilton, Private Secretary of theColonial Office, will act as Secretary of the Conference. A feeling of regret is widespread at the decision tohold the meetings in private, as the various newspapers had made elaborate preparations for reporting ' the proceedings. An opinion prevail© that the Queen ought to open theConference. The Carlton Club admit the members of Conference as honorary' members, which is quite unprecedented so far as the Club isconcerned. ■ -S.