THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10778, 29 May 1911, Page 4

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROPOSAL. i_l->Y ELLCTUIC TeJ,EGIIAI'II Copvkicht. | <i"'Ki: Pi'.rss Associ \tion\, Loud..n. May 2S Sir_ Joseph Ward acecpiod Air Asqiiith's suggestion lhai Air flareourt should make a .statement he.fore proceeding with the re.-iilution. Mr Harcoitrt said the Government hoped to meet many m Sir Joseph Ward's points, hut there were certain disadvantages in having separate .secretaryships, it would be obviously difliciflt to conduct the office with co-equal permanent -heads. Another difficulty was that only one person with a knowledge of the dominions and Crown colonies could be the political head. It would noti-be advantageous- fcrhave the secretary for the dominions wholly divorced from a knowledge of the proceedings in the Crown colonies and protectorates. The Government would ; be prepared 'to establish an advisory committee with purely advisory : powers. The committee should not be 'tied too closely as regards its personnel, . out _ frequent changes would militate against the continuity of the desired kildwletlger Sir Joseph Ward said the resolution was intended to secure orgniiie machinery to discuss and advise on im- ; portant'qneitions. Without'blaming the Colonial Office," : lie l 'Said ::!New Zealand ' frequently felt insufficiently well in- ' formed 'on matters : of routine. He required time to consider the'appoint- . iug of' a High Commissioners!. Committee. '■■■' " '.■'.•■.',-■;_■ ..■•;!•• •'!;-"■:..';

• Sir Wf ftauner said'he was 'satisfied with the present system. Canada, however, would not object if the others desired .a change. He thought an Advisory; Committee .w.ould "he; cumbrous a lid unsatisfactory, and might make the recommendation suitable to one part and unsuitable to another.:. ;: . .-■-■•

, Mr.Asquith said lie thought only •;questions \cpmmqn' to' all parts i'shbiild ;be dealt with. - ';', _- ; . . j,; ... i 'Mr : Fisher : said the services/ of the Higlby Commissioners' 'were valuable" 'in, voicing "Views "on a'particular matter/ i but; he hail .'grave.' doubts' respeetii>g .th'e. iconiniittee taking a vote on': matters !bf' "common concern. The proposal '"wbnKT : extend--the- functions of the Commisisibners into a • consultative authority, i'f he question was not prominent, but a.' (feeling existed in favor of dominion imatters coming under the Foreign; jOflice. As nations they_ were desirous' /of entering'into'the spirit :of tlieL policy igqverning the Empire. He suggested itiiat Sir W. Laurier might give a lead :by hrihghig ; forward, a resolution vestjing "distinct authoritative powers in the iHigh-'Gomm'issibners to enter into nSgbjtiatidiis, with responsibility, with'the j respective-'governments/ The Declarajtipn' of London 'was ah instance/ where j tlie. Secretary 'of Foreign AlfairslhadTie icdmniunieated with the High Co'mmisisibners',! have • learned ]the views jof the- dominions': confidentially, 'and jcertain difficulties might have been ob.viated. ••. ",'■" ' :

j :Other delegates' expressed' tbems'elves 'as satisfied with the present'system. 1 Mr r Asquith'said-he "did not wish to press the e'oihmittee unless it, was geneTally approved:' Referring to'the* Soiith■African resolution seeking to place coloi'nial affairs under the Prime Minister, ihe said he was impressed with the fact [that fb would ! be impossible for' the Prime Minister to coiiscientio'tisly; discharge the duties. ' . ' ",'. ! ' The Conference -postponed the discussion pending the circulation of Mr Harcpurt's: memorandum. ' ' . Received May'2B, at 5.5 p.m.

.- Melbourne, May 27: • Mr Hughes, referring to Sir Joseph Ward's Imperial Council scheme, • said the'proposal was ambitious; but he saw no objection to it, though the matter would largely depend.on convincing the British authorities of the wisdom of. the suggestion. As for tlie whole subject, it was characterised by ■ vagueness and uncertainty, and he .preferred liot to express a definite opinion on it. London, May 27. The Daily: News says the Iniperial Council, as expounded. by Sir Joseph. Ward, would have developed a constttutional revolution of the first magnitude. ••. .

The Standard declares that although neither in the dominions nor here are the people prepared for Sir Joseph Wards' advanced Imperialism, it is certain that the task of putting their, relations on a sounder basis than sentiment cannot be postponed.