COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11987, 9 June 1902, Page 5

COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

VIEWS OF CANADA. TRADE WITH THE EMPIRE. NEW STEAMSHIP LINES. By Telegraph.Pre33 Association.—Copyright. (Received Jane 8, 4.55 p.m.) Ottawa, June 7. The Conference at Toronto has asked Sir W. Laurier to urge the Premiers' Conference to secure a Royal Commission of British and colonial representatives to investigate and suggest a scheme of preferential treatment. A small majority favour an annual appropriation in the "Burlget to enable the Dominion to decide its own special participation in the general defence of the Empire. It urges Britain to accredit to foreign Governments Consular agents appointed by the colonies and empowered to protect British rights. The Conference endorses Canada subsidising cargo steamships to South Africa, and Australia in such a manner as to enable rales to be as low as from New York. Speaking at a banquet to the delegates, the Hon. J. Tart-. Minister for Public Works, confirmed Hie news of the earlv establishment of a Canadian line of fast trans-Atlantic steamers out of Morgan's reach. They must, he said also have a Canadian line of freight steamers. The Hon. W. Mulock, PostmasterGeneral, announced that a cargo line to Australia would lie established in a few months at Canada's expense, if necessary.