PROCEEDINGS AT THE CONFERENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 17 April 1907, Page 3

PROCEEDINGS AT THE CONFERENCE.

STATUS OF MINISTERS WHO ARE NOT PREMIERS. AN AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT. LORD ELGIN ; s"ATTITUDE. THE QUESTION OF PUBLICITY. (Received April 17, 8.17 a..) ' . LONDON, Tuesday. At the Imperial Conference, General Botha (Transvaal), who spoke in Dutch, took the stand that his attendance showed that the old Dutch population of the Transvaal would work equally loyally with the British for the welfare of the Empire. Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canada) moved a vote of thanks to Sir H. C. Bannerman, who, in replying, said it gave him unmixed pleasure to be present. The Premiers telegraphed to the King, presenting their humble duty, and desiring to acknowledge gratefully his gracious telegram, which would be a source of great encouragement in their labours. A telegram of deep sympathy with Mr Joseph Chamberlain was also sent. Sir William Lyne, Minister of Trades and_ Customs, Australia, evincing 'some displeasure, withdrew when Lord Elgin hinted that the subsequent proceedings would be limited to 'the Premiers except when individual Ministers and their own departments were concerned. This raised a discussion resultin- in an agreement that Ministers, not Premiers, should have the liberty to attend any meetings, but should speak- only when the President pr, their own Premier desired it, except when their own departments were concerned. All Ministers not Premiers were thereupon requested to retire. Sir Wm. Lyne's stiff attitude forced the reversal of the decision to limit the attendance of Ministers at the Confer- . ence._ Lord Elgin Insisted until he re- \ cognised the Premiers' insistence. ( Lord Elgin adopted a similar attitude - regarding publicity of the prorpndinps The Colonial Office wishes to limit pub lication to a daily precis of a fewwords, but the Premiers insist upon more. . '