THE CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13490, 17 May 1907, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE.

SOME PRESS OPINIONS.

MR. DEAKIN THE CENTRAL FIGURE.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. London, May 15. The London Daily Telegraph says Mr. Deakin was the central figure at the Imperial Conference. He will return to tell his own people that though he has not secured all he desired for them, he has accomplished much, perhaps more than he expected when he sailed. THE BUSINESS ASPECT. The Morning Post says the words of . the accelerated mail services resolution " within a reasonable cost" offers a loophole for Ministerial; escape from practical action. It contrasts Sir Joseph Ward's enlightened energy and far-sightedness ' in advocating shipping subsidies as a potent means .of Imperial consolidation with Mr. Lloyd George's tendency to call attention to the difficulties in the way without expressing any enthusiastic desire to overcome them. ' The Daily Chronicle says the principle of an " all-red " mail route has been accepted; meanwhile in regard to. the' general work of the Conference, if Lord Elgin constitutes the secretariate and. sets it at work vigorously and promptly the success of the Conference from a business standpoint will be increased. MEMORABLE IN PRACTICAL . CONCERNS. The Daily News says the/ Conference has been a memorable one in regard to practical concerns and achievements. It has given the Conference definite and regular practice in the working of - the Empire and created a secretariate; which ought to help the Motherland equally with the colonies in the matter of information. SUBSIDIES UNSOUND. The Daily News says it is glad Mr. Lloyd George was careful not tc commit himself regarding a fast mail service. It adds: Subsidies and; bounties are not so bad as protective traift's, but they are unsound, as they discriminate unfairly between" different firms and different industries. Why should the taxpayer subsidise one firm rather than an-, other or one industry rather than another?

I WHAT: HISTORIANS WILL SAY. The Times says that whatever the verdict' of future historians' on ' the particular issues of the Conference and its general purport may be, they will "dwell on the Conference of 1907 |as -a remarkable illustration of the powerful, influence of ; such J .''gatherlingslings in the formation of public opinion and will insist on the moral effects. '■ ■ The Conference, which has now become - an. institution, is destined,! like : other British institutions, to grow. An all-British route via Canada "and Australasia is a subject demanding expert examination, but the plan ought hot' to be adopted or rejected on mere considerations of. profit and loss. . : In .certain contingencies the route might be of I strategic importance. "In our experience, also, in that of Italy and 'that of Germany, few things contribute, more powerfully j s and directly to consolidating national-sentiment than easy and constant communica- ■ | "WOODEN,. UNIMAGINATIVE 1 DETERMINATION." \ j The Standard says that everything else pales beside the Government's wooden, unimaginative determination to take no steps for conceivably promoting the commercial federation of the Empire, but the leaven is working and the attitude of the colonies on the subject has made; a profound impression on the Motherland.