COLONIAL STATESMEN IN LONDON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 23 April 1907, Page 2

COLONIAL STATESMEN IN LONDON.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

[United Pbess Association. — CopxBIGHT.]

LONDON. Monday. During the discussion on constitution at the Imperial Conference, Sir W, L v na objected to the title "Imperial"" as applied to the Conferenco unless limitations were clearly defined. The "Spectator " says that the Conference is a lesson iv political charity ; it shows that it is quite possible to maintain freedom for the component parts of the Empire along wiih very real unity. Tne great thing to be avoided is tbe placing of any limitation, or even strain upon the principle of liberty, and p»dds : '• We have no hesitation in saying that freedom is greater thau freetrade, and we expect to believe that protectionists, whether here or in the colonies, will say also that freedom ia greater than protection." The "Daily Chronicle," discussing tha first fruits of tha Conference, declares that these resolutions assure perpetuity and continuity while tho Prime Minister's assumption of the Presidency will •idd to the status of the Conference, lifting it above the level of a merely departmental affair. Moreover, subsidiaiy Conferences will render such incidents as those which arose in connection with Newfoundland and the New Hebrides, impossible. The " Tribune," the "Standard," the " Chronicle," and Othey newspapers, protest that tho official daily reports of the Impcriql Conference are more shadows if the trarsactions. Thero is a stroug feeling among the Premiers that a full report should now 'ie issued to the membors of the Conference, and that daily instalments «hould also be issue 1 to the public, ii.inu-i such secret matters as those connected with defence, and as Lord Elgin mi^ht decide ta omit.