THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8124, 22 March 1887, Page 4

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

CBS' BLSOTSIO TBLMBUAPB— OOfBIBBT.J [Special to Pbbss Association.] CEaoeivea March 21, at noon/l LONDON, Mabch 20, • The members of the St George’s? • Club will entertain the delegates to ; the Imperial Conference at a banqueton April 20. The Duke of Cambridge* will be present. CBeoeived March 21, at X. 25 p.m.J , LONDON, Mabch 19. The Times, in an article on the?scope and object of the ImperialConference, characterises it as the mostinteresting gathering of Imperial and Colonial representatives, ever called. Speaking of the year’s national demonstrations, the Conference mustbe regarded as the most memorable event of the Jubilee. The same journal, discussing the important questions?' to be - considered at the Conference, especially mentions the ocean ■ postal service, which is asbeing utterly inadequate to the progress of the age and the rapid development of the British possessions. Its defects are glaring, and the system is bad, whilst it is more costly than it should be. The question of Imperial Federation will be discussed, but the opinion is expressed that the time has - not arrived for giving practical effectto any scheme effecting political federation of the Empire. The Chronicle, in an article on the* Conference, refers in hopeful terms to it, and says it is likely to lead to** beneficial national results. Commenting on the decision not to allow a full measure of representation to Crown, Colonies at the Conference* equally with autonomous Colonies,, the Chronicle would like to have seen every Colony represented on the occasion, which would practically have made it a Federal Parliament.