THE OTTAWA CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 16

THE OTTAWA CONFERENCE.

Press Association — By Telegraph — Copyright. Ottawa, June 29. The conference of colonial and British delegates met in the Senate House. The opening ceremony was oC a brilliant description, and the visitors met with an enthusiastic reception. L">rd Aberdeen warned them ia his speech of welcome that too wide latitude of discussion would rob the conference of practical result. Sir J. Thompson, Premier of Canada, said the colonists had met to plight anew their faith to one another and express their love to the old country. Lord Jersey predicted that the practical results of the conference would form a marked epoch in the history of the Empire.

All the Australasian delegates spoke well, most of them advocating Federation similar to Canada.

Mr Fitzgerald, of Victoria, made an eloquent speech. '

Mr Playford (South Australia) was of a practical turn, declaring there was no sentiment in trade and that there were immense possibilities for future commerce between Canada and Australia. Mr Suttor (New South Wales) proposed they should send; an address to the Queen congratulating her on the fifty seventh anniversary of her coronation. He laid stress on the vast growth of the colonies during her reign. The conference sang the National Anthem, the spectators joining in. The Governor- general in the evening gave a banquet to the delegates. Jane 30. At the Governor-general's banquet to the delegates attending the conference, several of the delegates dwelt on the object lessons afforded by Canada, and these they declared had strengthened their intention to work to bring about the federation of Australia. The Hon. Mackenzie Bo well (Canada) has been elected president of the conference. In his opening remarks be suggested the establishment of a trade union between the colonies, each colony retaining its own tariff and taxing foreign goods in favour of the Empire. He dwelt at some length on the unsatisfactory state of the law with regard to copyright. Sir Henry Wrixon (Victoria) expressed the opinion that the conference should not close until the Pacific cable is assured. Mr A. Lee Smith (New Zealand) will introduce the question of the annexation of Samoa, but it is nolikely it will be' discussed, the British delegates having suggested that the subject should be avoided. '.

July 1. Reporters are excluded from the conference now being held here.

Sir H. J. Wrixon has submitted a proposal for colonial reciprocity. The cjebate was adjourned. - ° Mr Laurier, leader of the Frenqb-Gapadian party, speaking at the banquet, said that the conference was unique in the history of the world, and the sight inspired him with new loyalty. The Spectator thinks that direct conferences between the representatives of the colonies may involve combined pressure npon the mother country hitherto unequalled. July 2. After an animated discussion -the motim of Sir H. Wrixon on the subject of reciprocity was adjourned. The authorities of the conference decline to publish the proposals submitted to them until definite decisions have been come to in regard thereto. July 3. At the conference the Hon. F. Suttor, of New South Wales, opened the discussion on the Pacific cable. Lord Rosebery cabled to the president expressing sympathy with and interest in the conference, and hoping it would be a happy augury for the future of the Empire. London, June 30. The St. James's Gazette states it is clear that the Belgian and German commercial treaties must be repealed, and that the Colonial Office had better consider the matter before the colonists make it unpleasantly urgent.