THE COMING CORONATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7090, 26 August 1901, Page 3

THE COMING CORONATION.

INVITATIONS TO COLONIAL PEEMLEES.

London, July 20. It ia semi-officially announced that according to the present intentions of the Imperial Government, invitations will be sent to ths Prime Ministers of all the British colonies and States to be/present at the Coronation, of His Majesty King Edward VII., in the month of June next.

According to the plan of procedure in contemplation, the invitations will be sent to each Premier and his wife, as was done on. the occasion of the late Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee four years ngo, and the arrangements will be as nearly as possible on the same liberal and hospitable basis. It is fully expected that the invitations, will be very largely accepted, if not unanimously, and that consequently an exceptionally large gathering of representative colonists will assemble in London in June.

With the object of utilising so far as possible the presence of so many prominent colonial statesmen, the Government, or, at any rate, Mr Chamberlain, has in contemplation the holding^ of a sort of Imperial Conference or Pan-Britannic assembly for the purpose of considering all the questions of mutual importance that have arisen as between the Mother Country and her dependencies during the last few : years, more particularly since the outbreak of the South African War, and the remarkable manifestation of Imperial sentiment and loyalty on the part of the colonies which that war has elicited.

One question of much gravity and nrgeney which it is suggested might well come before such a conference is that of Imperial defence in its special colonial aspect, and that reference alike to the needs and liability to Attack of the various colonies, and also to the capacity of each for contributing in a reasonable measure towards, the cost of sufficient naval protection alike of the ■ports, the coast and the maritime commerce. ■.;

Other subjects which it is intended to' bring before such a conference, if it takes place, may be grouped- under the general heading of the commercial relatives between Great Britain and her dependencies. There are several points, including Customs tariffs, poßtal services, etc., which is thought might profitably be discussed pn such an occasion, and by such an assembly,