OVERSEA VIEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7449, 25 May 1911, Page 7

OVERSEA VIEWS

CANADA SATISFIED AND HAS NO SUGGESTIONS. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said they might claim that the work of the last Conference was productive of material, and oven important results. Ho represented a country which had no grievances, and very few suggestions to make. Its people wore* satisfied with their lot. He therefore approached his colleagues’ suggestions with an open mind, recognising tho truth of the principle that the British Empire could and ought to live in a state of Imperial unity based on local autonomy. AUSTRALIAN DESIRES. Mr Fisher said he came to the Conference as a wholehearted advocate of tho usefulness of the Conference, and ho believed great gain would accrue if they could meet, not only in the centre of the Empire, hut in the centres of other dominions. He earnestly appealed to Mr Ascfuith to take some strong stops to remedy a grave abuse affecting the commerce of tho Empire and other countries, in the shape of tho exorbitant Suez Canal charges. He hoped also that tho Government would afford the dominions moro expeditious access to trade reports from every part of the world. Referring to the defence scheme organising in Australia, Mr Fisher said Australians desired to help in the preservation of the honour and greatness of the Mother Country. They would cheerfully co-operate with the Mother Country, while protecting their own shores. The Commonwealth desired also to assist- in anything in the shape of international arbitration to preserve the peace of tho world. SIR JOSEPH WARD. Sir Joseph Ward .eulogised the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s initiatory work which had resulted in the consolidation of South Africa. While preserving local autonomy it was essential that they should make a stop forward if they wished to prevent the rise of disintegrating movements. Ho recognised the necessity of elasticity in matters which might be tho outcome of the Conference. HARMONY IN AFRICA. General Botha expressed his gratification at participating in the Conference. He was able to say that in South Africa, where there had been so much discord and so much blood had flown, concord and harmony now reigned. The people were inspired by hope and courage for tho future. Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved, and Mr Fisher seconded, an address of homage to his Majesty the King. This was adopted.