PROPOSED COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 771, 10 December 1886, Page 17

PROPOSED COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

(reuier’s telegrams.)

London, December 7.

The substance of a despatch, dated 25th ..November, addressed by the Secretary of State to the Governors of the colonies, has been published. It refers to the allusion made in the Queen’s Speech of the 25th of September to the colonies, and states that the Imperial Government had given mature consideration to the messages therein promised, and had concluded to advise the Queen to summon a conference in London in April or May next, to which representatives of the principal colonies would be invited to specially discuss questions of common interest. It was not intended to commit the Imperial Government or the Colonial Governments to new proposals entailing heavy expense, but rather to secure the fullest utilization of the sums devoted for defence in time of peace. It would be useful to consider the promotion of telegraph cable extension on a complete Imperial system, embracing all parts of the Empire, and avoiding an increase of expenditure. The Colonial Secretary hopes for the cordial co. operation of the colonies. The Government thinks the question urgent, und capable of useful consideration in organising military defence. The time has arrived .for an understanding to prepare for defence throughout the Empire, and it is hoped the Conference. will recommend principles for promoting the general defence of the Empire. The despatch deprecates any discussion by the Conference of the question of political federation of the Empire. The Conference would be purely consultative, and equal representation of the colonies was therefore not essential. It is suggested that a few leading colonists, beside the Agents-Geueral, should attend. The Secretary of State would be President of the Conference.