IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8150, 22 April 1887, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

[By ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT, j piiJSQTER’S TELEGRAMS.) [Received April 21, at 12.30 p m. I LONDON, April 20. At to-day’s sitting of the Conference, the question of telegraphic communication between the various parts of the Empire was under consideration. The subject was discussed on the basis of the utility of such communication to the Empire rather than with regard to the possibility of any commercial return therefrom. Mr Sandford Fleming (Canada) read a paper in support of the advantages, from a defensive point of view, of a cable between Canada, and Australia, He maintained that such a cable was possible with a tariff of five shillings per word between Europe and the Colonies. The Conference ultimately expressed the opinion that it was extremely expedient additional cables should be provided, but the routes and the means of acquiring cables must be the subject of further consideration. No decision was arrived at, and the question was adjourned till Wednesday next. The Conference to-morrow will discuss the question of Australian land defences. [Received April 22, at 2 a.m.] LONDON, April 21. At the banquet given at St George’s Club last night in honour of the delegates to the Conference, Lord Bateman presided. Among those present were the Hake of Cambridge, the Marquis of Normanby, Viscount Onslow, and Viscount Cross. The Duke of Cambridge, in proposing “Prosperity to the Colonies,” welcomed the Colonial delegates, and dwelt on the necessity of a thorough union between the Mother Country and the Colonies. Mr Heakin, of Victoria, in responding to the toast, thanked the members of the Club for their hospitality. He was gratified at the result of the Conference by which the Imperial Government had become better acquainted with Colonial affairs. He dwelt at some length on the relations between the Colonies and other parts of the Empire, Lord Cross, Secretary of State for India, declared that Her Majesty’s Ministers had watched with the greatest interest the proceedings of the Colonial Governments, and that they were anxious to secure the unity of the Empire. [Special to Press Association.] [Received April 21, at 8.30 p m.] LONDON, April 20. The cable question was before the Conference to-day. Sir Saul Samuel thought it would be unwise to hastily supersede the Eastern Extension Company. Mr Downer pointed out that the Pacific cable scheme was opposed to the interests of South Australia. Mr Heakin was favourable to the scheme, although the proposals were somewhat large, and also in their present shape he feared impracticable. He suggested that the proper point of view from which this should be considered was what national advantages will accrue from their adoption. Sir S. Griffiths and Sir F. H. Bell were favourably inclined to the new Company. Sir P. Jennings agreed with Mr Heakin that the Federal advantages of the scheme were worthy of consideration, Mr Raikes was guarded in his answer, but was understood to hint that Government was unlikely at present to grant the subsidy demanded. The Company asked for .£IOO,OOO for twenty-five years, with a 4s rate between Europe and the Colonies. 1 Received April 22, at 2.5 a.m,] LONDON, April 21, The Conference has adopted the principal points of the scheme of naval defence. The Duke of Cambridge advocated an analogous system for the land forces. Mr Heakin stated that the Colonies were strongly in- favour of the Federation of the Empire, and satirised the prevailing ignorance in England of the aspirations of the Colonies. Mr Downer acknowledged that the Colonies recognised the interest taken by the Prince of Wales in Colonial projects.