AUSTRALIANS AT THE CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13491, 18 May 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIANS AT THE CONFERENCE.

MR. FOWLDS' CRITICISMS. FEDERAL ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S REPLY. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright ; (Received May 18, 12.33 a.m.) MlXßoriiN'E, May 17. Mb. Groom, t!i? Federal Attorney-General, characterises the statements reported to have been made at Ghristcburch by Mr. Fowlds, on the Imperial. Conference, is certainly most remarkable. He add*, " Perhaps Sir. Fowlds will realise when he gets into closes,' touch with Sir Joseph War* that there is a closer identity «i aim between him and Mr. Deakin than be appears to have any idea of at present. Aus- ; tralia has never attempted to dictate what shall be'; the policy -:■: of '-' Government in Britain, but Australians always have, and I hope always will have, no hesitation in stating what are their beliefs and ideas on matters of Imperial concern which directly ; or indirectly affect Australia. As regards the statement that if the policy adopted by the Australian Prime Minister is to be continued a party in favour of severance L from the colonies will grow up, all I can say is that any action taken by Australian Ministers has been inspired by the loftiest ideals and thoughts for the unity of the Empire. The general trend of Sir W. J. Lyne's views is in accord with the ideas and sentiments of the vest majority of the people of Australia; ■ The allegation that lie was an uninvited guest to the Conference is absolutely baseless, and ' probably . will be resented by the Imperial authorities themselves. 'No matter what may be said with regard to the following of Mr. Deakin, the fact remains he is Prime Minister, and when he left our shores he pos-

sessed the full confidence of the 'Australian people. The only explanation of Mr. Fowlds' extraordinary remarks is they have arisen \. from preconceived opinions and a want of knowledge .of Australian conditions." ■

Mr. Fowlds; speaking to an interviewer at Christchurch the other, day, in reference to the Imperial Conference, Sftld lie could | not express himself strongly enough concern- > ing the conduct of Mr. Deakiri and Sir William'Lync in connection with the- Conference. He had spoken most : emphatically upon ' this subject at a gathering in the • South, but he would like to take the opportunity of expressing his opinion that Sir Joseph Ward would come out of the Conference , most ; Buccessfullj. " Certainly, continued Mr. Fowlds, "he hasn't been ' breaking the china' like the Australian representatives. The tone adopted in their . speeches at Home has been positively distressing. It is absurd that they should attempt to,; dictate a policy to the Motherland. I 1 have always believed very strongly in maintaining the unity of the Empire, but if " such a policy as that adopted by the Australian Premier is toi*bc continued at future Conference, a party will grow up atHome ; tt, which will want to sever all connection with the colonies, and the conferences will ceaiie. Sir William Lyne in particular has shown execrable taste in forcing himself upon the Conference as an uninvited guest. The idea of two men who can only command a following of 17 in a House of 75 going Home to dictate to the British Government is simply preposterous. The real practical resuits of the Conference will follow from the ' suggestions made by Sir Joseph Ward. I have always' been against ? Chamberlainisrn. This present trouble is the aftermath of it. ■Mr;* Chamberkjn has 'encouraged the Premiers to ask for impossible things simply i'» serve his own purposes. If this sort of thing; continues wo fihall ultimately.liiivjij'*h. .. peated the experience of Great Britain utal her American colonies 130 years ago, in reversed order. Great Britain lost her American colonies by forcing on them a tariff that ! they did not want, and tho colonies may yet lose the Motherland by trying 5 to force upon her a tariff that she does not want. If this should happen it will' at least not be New ~ Zealand'* fault."