THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 787, 1 April 1887, Page 27

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION. (SPECIAL TO UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, March 24. It is probable that Mr Downer will undertake the conduct of the postal questions at the Conference. Among the important questions to be discussed at the Conference will be the future of the New Hebrides. The Australian delegates are ready with proposals, and probably an effort will be made to settle the difficulty by adopting a suggestion in favor ot neutralising the islands, and placing them under an Intercolonial Commission, composed of English, French, and German members- _ . The Marriage Reform Association have requested Mr Downer to advocate at the Conference the necessity of legitimising in Great Britain children born of marriages with deceased •wife’s sisters iu colonies where such unions are legal. Sir Patrick Jennings and Mr Wisdom, delegates from New South Wales to the Imperial Conference, are expected in London on Tuesday. London, March 24. The Victorian delegates to the Imperial Conference have decided apon a wide programme of subjects to be submitted for discussion. They show a disposition to object to Mr Downer being entrusted with the conduct of the postal diseusßion. London, March 26. The Economist urges the Imperial Conference to simplify the procedure and execution of judgments in the Colonies and England. Sir Saul Samuel and Messrs Downer and Deakin will ask for permission to force the settlement of the contract for carriage of mails to Australia. London, March 27. The subjects to be discussed at the Imperial Conference will be limited to national defence, cables, telegraph and postal services, and reciprocal laws between different portions of the Queen’s dominions. The members of the Ministry will attend when the subject in which each Minister is concerned is before the Conference. London, March 28. The delegates to the Imperial Conference intend to meet and arrange a number of extra subjects to be brought before the Conference. Mr Deakin, Victorian delegate, dined with Sir Henry Holland on Saturday. The delegates were present at the reception held by the Countess of Stanhope. (reuter’s telegrams,) London, March 25. In the House of Commons to-day Sir Henry Holland, Colonial Secretary, announced, in reply to a question, that he would state at the opening of the Imperial Conference what was proposed to be done in regard to Imperial defence in furtherance of the report of the Royal Commission on same held under the presidency of the

Earl of Carnarvon. Sir Henry further stated that the Conference would only freely discuss in camera the questions brought before it. He added, however, that though reporters would only be admitted to the opening ceremony, the Presß would be furnished on the following days with a precis of the proceedings. London, March 28.

A general meeting of the Australian delegates to the Imperial Conference will take place during the preeent week, to discuss preliminaries. In the House of Commons this afternoon Sir Henry Holland, Secretary of State for the Colonies, stated in reply to a question that the Government considered it uunecessary that special arrangements should be made for the discussion of the question of Imperial Federation by representatives of the United Kingdom and the Colonies, as those interested could arrange to consider the question outside the Conference. The Imperial Government, he added, was precluded Irom taking part in any discussion of the subject.