THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12425, 7 August 1902, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

SUBSIDIES TO MAIL AND TRADING LINKS. Press Assoeiation-By Telegraph* Copyright. LONDON, August 6. (Received August 7, at 0.37 ft.m.) The sitting of the Imperial Conference was resumed. Besides the colonial representatives, Mr Chamberlain, Mr Brodrick, Lord Stanley, Mr Arnold .Poster, the Admiralty directors of contracts, and the Secretary of the Post Office wore present. 1 The question of remounts for the army, navy contract.?, a reduction of postal rates throughout tlie Empire on newspapers and periodicals, _snd the metric system were discussed. ~ The only reciprocity likely to bo granted to the colonies in return for i preferential advantages will be increased ' subsidies to British mails hud trading lines where sncli will not i imperil Great ; Britain's relations with .foreign countries. Consideration of the suggested establishment of an' Imperial Court of Appeal ccflnbining the two existing/tribunals was postponed indefinitely'owing to Canada's objection. Aus< ■"•'Jo alone cordially approved of the change. 1

Sir A. Hinies's proposal that naturalisation of aliens by one colony should suffice for the Empire was rejected. Sir E. Barton's motion favouring the unification and wider' protection of patents was carried. / Reciprocity -between professional men in tho Orange River and Transvaal colonics and the, rest of the Empire was approved. With regard to contracts, evidence was produced showing that the colonies were already specially considered. 1 It is understood that without an exchange of definite pledges the Imperial Government will bear in mind colonial interests, and the colonies will similarly remember the claims of English products.