Imperial Conference.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1346, 19 June 1911, Page 5

Imperial Conference.

CONFERENCE FUNCTIONS. (Press Association.-By Telegraph.— Copyright). Loudon. Saturday. . Tho Queensland annual 1 dimmer was largely attended. ' Speeches by Mr Fisher and others dealt with tho development of Queensland. Speaking at the fishmongers' banquet, Sir Jo'luii Forrest declared He 'disliked tho idea of Separate fleets. He pfefenred one Empire fleet. They must take caire there was no question about standing together wlheii trouble arose. The Conference Sub-committee conferred ™th the War Office on defence, and details of the result will be tnibniitted! to the ful conference at an early date. STATE OWNED WIRELESS. * ITS DESIRABLENESS AF- ' FIRMED. Received June 18, 5.5 p.m. Loudon, Laßt Night. After Hon. Herbeit Samuel's statement that Britain was bound to the Marooni Byttem and an Imperial system was impossible while the other parts of the Empiro tied themselves to different systems, Sir Joseph Ward amended his motion in the direction of affirming the desirableness of establishing a State owned wireless system. Rt. Hon. L. Haroourt, replying to Mr Pearca said the Paolflo Islands would not be overlooked in the ulti mate development of the Bohenie Sir Joseph Ward thought it would be more satisfactory if Austral a and New Zealand oarried out local requirements sharing the cost with Singapore. Mr Fisher deolared that the Commonwealth intended to prooeed with its own solieme, and reserved the light to erect stations where they pleased. He supported Mr Samuel, but wished to make it clear that he was not committed to a fanatical side. The amended resolution was adopted. I

PENNY POSTAGE, Mr Samuel showed average cost of dandling each letter and the reply to different parts of the Empire to be 11 6J. It would take fourteen years to recoup the loes inonrred by extending the penny pnst to the United States.

Sir Joseph Ward substituted his 1907 resolntion which was re-affifin-ed.

COMMONWEALTH TRADE. SUGGESTED -ROYAL COMMISSION. Laorier in supporting the Commonwealth trade resolution, siid it was difficult to saoure improvement without more information. Ha therefore moved tbat the Conference approaoh the King to appoint a Royal Commission representing Great Britain and the ovetseas Dominions to investigate the natural resources, development attained and ■ attainable, facilities for produotion, manufaotnre and distribution of trade from eaoh part of the Empire with others, and our Bide of the world also as to food and raw mat3rial, the requirements of eaob and the souroes thereof available ,and to What extent trade between the different parts was affected by existing legislation, beneficially or otherwise.

Mr Haroourt said the resolution was another step in the polioy which was'the governing note of the Conference, namely not Imperial concentration-, but Imperial, co-opera-ticn. In one respect the resolution might be misunderstood and he proposed to add "by what inethols consistent with the existing fiscal policy can each part of the trade of the Empire be improved and extended."

This would 6how that the Commission did not intend to make the recommendations as one of a polioy of the Duminlons or the Mother Laud but to put the whole Empire in a better position for future cooperation',

Mr Fisher said the resolution was a practical way of dealing with difficult questions. The Commission must look freely at every matter likely to afford useful information and not dogmatize the right methods which the different countries conduct their own affairs. It was essential that the OommiEsiou should include men of higher standing. Mi P6arc3 said the proprsil met $1;? pcsition prarircally and would enal'l" t l, era do?l with trade mat-

Mr A sqaith said the Conference wbb iaflebtad to Sir Wilfrid Lauiier for his practical proposition. It would prepare the way and possibly make the way plain for effective action'at next Conference or sooner. The Commission should Jbe an advisory body. Every Dominion should pursue a fiscal polioy best suited to its requirements, The Commission' should visit every part of the Empire' and the Government saoure the best men possible. Mr Fisher said the Commonwealth was ready to shßre ths expanse of the burden, which ought not to rest entirely bu the Mother Land. [', Sir Joß&ph Ward and Sir Wilfrid Lander thought similarly. Mr Asquith said he was giateful for the suggestion. Tne amended resolution was pansod

A MAIL SERVICE MOTION. THE ALL-RED ROUTE, MM Sir Joseph Ward moved that the All-Red route be a rosin mail ronte. He said lie had the assurance of shipping men tlif.t they could give a tweuty knots Strvico on the Pacific, as the diffiouities existing for yeais back with rogard to ooaliug had disappeared. Although the opeuiug of the Panama Oaual might considerably affect tho system, ho desited the AH-Red be institute:! as he looked to Canada bb a balf-wav house bttween New Zealand and Britain.

Mr Morris also presenter] a motion advocating a fast service from Newfoundland to Great Britain.

Sir Wilfrid Laufier favoured Sir Joseph Ward's motion. Mr Fisher said that while rauoh could be said sentimentally, the praotioal side must stand on its merits. They could not draw distinction between the service to Australia via Ne«7 Zealand from Canada. The Suez route might have difficulties, hut had much to commend it from the Australian standpoint. The re-transhipment of goods aoross Canada mado the proposal impraotioable. He regretted the Commonwealth oculd not support tho motion.

Mr Lloyd George said sentimentally the All-Red route was desirable, bnt practloal difflonities were great.Since last Conference the question bad been investtoated and the committee found that a twenty-one knots servioe would be prohibitive, and eighteen knots an enormously oostly service. It wonld bo dependent on paes3ngors as it conld not hpp9 to carry goods across the Oontinont. There wonld be considerable loss on the Pacific side, though the Atlantlo might pay after years. He thought the question might be referred to Sir Wilfrid Laurier's Royal Commission. Sir Joseph said the saheme of merely carrying goods was useless and impracticable. He amended tho lesolution to affirm that it is desirable that Great Britain connect with Canada and through' Canada with Australia and New Zealand, by 'the best mail servioe available. Thiß was carriod.

QUESTION OF SHIPPING

COMBINES.

The Conference on Friday afternoon disonssed Mr Graff's resolution in favour of concerted action to promote bettar trade and postal communications within the Empire and disconrage shipping combines. He instanoed the excessive ooean freight between South Africa and Great Britain compared to Great Britain and Australia and said the Union Parliament was determined to establish an open freight market. THE DELEGATES' RETURN. SIR JOSEPH WARD SLIGHTLY INJURED. Rsoeived Jane 18, 5 5 p.m. London, Last Night. As Sir Joseph Ward was proceeding to the Oonfereuoe, the hood of his motor collapssd, cntt'ng his face slightly.

The wound was dressed and Sir Joseph attended the Conference. ; General Botha starts for Kissingen, Germany, on the 13th.

Sir Wilfrid Lanrier sailt for Canada ou July Ist, and Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and Hon. Dr Findlay join the Ruapehu at Marseilles.