IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12394, 2 July 1902, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

COLONIAL PREMIERS' AND THE COLONIAL OFFICE. ' MR CHAMBERLAIN NON-COM-MITTAL. Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. 7 LONDON, July 1. ■ (Received July 1, at 1.10 p.m.) The Conference of Colonial Premiers and-' Secretary of State for the Colonies has been opened. Sir E. Barton suggested giving the colonies reasonable consideration with regard to army and navy contracts; a •clear definition of the position of the colonies granting Great Britain preferential tariff relations and their enjoyment of the "most favoured nation" treatment at the hands of foreign nations; State ownership of ocean cables; mutual protection for patents; Imperial stamp charges on colonial bonds; ; the establishment of an Imperial Court of Ap•peal; and a discussion on the possibility of a mutual tariff within the. Empire. ' Sir A. Hime suggested that the naturalisation of aliens in any part of the British Empire should he sufficient fpr the whole Empire. Sir W. Laurier adopts a,-very conservative attitude on the subject of Imperial defence. He considers the corn tax atfords Great Britain an opportunity of offering concessions in return for additional remissions on English imports into Canada. Sir E. Barton considers the conference very satisfactory so far, and is hopeful Of the results. (Received July 2, at 0.39 a.m.) The Premiers, Lord Onslow (Parliamentary Under-Secretary), and Sir M. F. Ommimney (Permanent Secretary to the. Colonial Office) were present at the conference. Sir John Anderson, one of the principal -clerks, was appointed secretary. Mr Chamberlain presided, and cordially, welcomed the delegates. Ho referred to the advances made towards Imperial federation since the 1897 conference owing to the establishment of the Commonwealth and the spontaneous assistance of the colonies duriug the war time. Ho made a non-committal statement outlining . the leading subjects suggested by himself and the Premiers. He invited a frank expression of opinion. The conference adjourned till Friday, when the question of Imperial defence will be discussed. It'has been arranged that Ministers who accompany Premiers will participate m the discussion on subjects speciallv concerning their departments, consequently Sir, Jolm Forrest and Mr Bort? "j i° f I p !uada ) wi '*l participate in Friday's discussion. The conference meet subsequently jSt! a ' Str ' Ct 6eCreCy is e " Mr Chamberlain and Mr Seddon adKl the f? bMed with fl " ! ng a resßl ution dealing B I v gn 1 " a f tlonS ° fforts delude British vessels from all coastwise trade.