AFFAIRS OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14689, 25 May 1911, Page 5

AFFAIRS OF EMPIRE.

THE CONFERENCE OPENED.

SPEECHES OF THE PREMIERS.

SITTING WITH CLOSED DOORS.

SCOPE OF DISCUSSIONS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received May 24, 10.45 p.m.)

London, May 24. Mr. Asquith opened the Imperial Conference at the Foreign Office yesterday.

Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies), Mr. Sydney Buxton (President of the Board of Trade), and other Ministers were present.

A crowd assembled at the building and loudly cheered the delegates as they arrived.

MR. ASQUITH'S SPEECH.

The Prime Minister heartily welcomed the delegates, and briefly defined the scope of the Conference, emphasising its non-party character. He said that it was a happy coincidence that the time chosen for the Conference would enable statesmen from the self-governing Dominions to take a personal part in the Coronation.

The Empire was made up of countries not geographically conterminous, or even contiguous. It did not even draw its unifying cohesive force solely from identity of race or language. They had here a political organisation which, by its mere existence, ruled out the possibility of war between populations numbering something like a-third of the human race.

There were two things in the selfgoverning British Empire that were unique in the history of great political aggregations—-first, the reign of law; and, second, the combination of absolutely unfettered local autonomy with loyalty to a common head. CHANGED METHODS. In the early Victorian era there were two rough-and-ready solutions of the colonial problem. One was centralisation, or government from Downing-street, and the other disintegration, by which each community as it grew to manhood would, without embitterment, start an independent existence. After 70 years of Imperial evolution neither theories commanded the faintest support from any part of the Empire now. Each intended to remain master of his own household, and to remain units, but units in a greater unit.

There were proposals on the agenda paper aiming at some closer political union in the shape of an Advisory Council. Without offering an opinion, he would venture to observe that they should not lose sight of the value of elasticity andflexibility in Imperial ■ organisation. He trusted that the Imperial Government would be able to offer acceptable suggestions in regard to the constitution of the Colonial Office, regarding the segregation and concentration of work appropri-, ate to the Dominions from the other work of the Department.

SPIRIT OF THE CONFERENCE. Mr. Asquith then referred to the far-reaching results of the last Defence Conference, and the inauguration of the Canadian and Australian fleets, which had given a further impetus to the spirit of self-reliance. It was highly desirable to take stock together of the possible risks and dangers to which they were exposed in common, and to weigh carefully and adequately the various difficulties that needed solution. He believed that there was throughout the Conference one spirit and one purpose—to make the Empire and all its parts a more complete and effective instrument for the furtherance of liberty. NO GRIEVANCES IN CANADA. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said that they might claim that the work of the last Conference had been productive of important results. He represented a country which had no grievances and very few suggestions to make. They were satisfied with their lot. They approached the suggestions of their colleagues with an open mind. AUSTRALIA'S VOICE. Mr. Fisher said he came to the Conference as a whole-hearted advocate of such Conferences. He felt that good would accrue if they could meet, not only in the centre of the Empire, but in the centres of the other Dominions. He earnestly appealed to Mr. Asquith to take some strong steps to remedy the grave abuse affecting the commerce of the Empire and other countries in the shape of the exorbitant Suez Canal charges. He hoped that the Government would afford the Dominions more expeditious access to trade reports from every part of the world.

Referring to the defence scheme, he said that Australia desired to help the preservation of the hon-.or and greatness of the Mother Country, and to cheerfully co-operate with the Mother Country, while protecting her own shores. The Commonwealth also desired to assist anything rn the shape of international arbitration that would preserve peace.

NEW ZEALAND PREMIER. Sir Joseph Ward eulogised the late Sir Henry Campbcll-Banner-man's initiatory work, resulting in the consolidation of South Africa. While preserving local autonomy it was essential to make a step forward if they wished to prevent the rise of disintegration. He recognised the necessity of elasticity in matters which might be the outcome of the Conference. CONCORD AND HARMONY. Mr. Botha said he was gratified at participating in the Conference. He was able to say that in South Africa, where there had been so much disco.rdA .and .where so. much blood had.

flowed, concord and harmony now reigned, and they were inspired with hope and courage for the future.

HOMAGE TO THE KING.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved, and Mr. Fisher seconded, that an ad«fress of homage be presented to the King, the motion being carried. Mr. Asquith explained that naval and military matters would be discussed with the Committee of Imperial Defence, where they would have the advantage of the advice of experts. It would also probably be desirable not to bring other technical subjects before the Conference until they had been discussed by the overseas representatives and Imperial Departments concerned.