THE PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2241, 11 February 1897, Page 15

THE PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

Hobart, February 2. The Premiers' Conference opened yesterday. Sir Edward Braddon (Tasmania) was appointed chairman. The conference then adjourned pending the arrival of Mr G. H. Reid (New South Wales). February 3. Mr Reid (New South Wales) has arrived. The conference will be formally constituted this morning, but will probably adjourn owing to the races. The invitation that has been extended to the colonial Premiers to attend the Queen's record reign celebration will be added to the Hat of subjects to be discussed by the conference, February 4. In discussing Mr Chamberlain's Imperial Union scheme the conference would not entertain the idea of international freetrade. It was decided to write to Mr Chamberlain asking for further details in, connection with the proposal with regard to the colonies joining in the England-Japanese commercial treaty. The conference decided that it was undesirable to take any steps in that direction yonv on the grounds previously advanced — that the colonies should remain in a position to protect themselves from Japanese cheap labour. The question of granting free passes over intercolonial railways to the families of members of Parliament in neighbouring colonies was considered, and it was decided that members only should be allowed to travel free. The conference agreed that there should be uniformity of legislation in regard to merchandise marks. It was decided to carry out the recommendation of the Minister for Agriculture that similar laws be passed by the respective colonies providing for the inspection and branding of exportable produce. A proposal that an officer of the Royal Engineers be appointed as inspector of fortifications for all the colonies at a salary of LIOOO was adopted. The suggestion 'of Melbourne and Sydney manufacturers that Ne*w Zealand should remove the tax on commercial travellers was brought under the notice of Mr Seddon, who promised to bring the matter before the Cabinet, bub gave little hope that Parliament would abolish the impost. February 5. The Premiers' Conference terminated last night after two days' close work. No resolution of any importance was arrived at. As far as the practicable work of bringing the colonies together was concerned, the conference has proved abortive ; several questions in which the colonies are deeply interested being either dropped altogether or shelved. . The matter of intercolonial reciprocity, which was the principal otjject Mr Seddon had in calling the conference, proved too dangerous a subject to handle, and it was resolved to postpone its consideration until after the election of the Federal Convention. The most important question referred to was the renewal of the agreement with the Imperial Government regarding the Pacific squadron. The present arrangement was deemed most unsatisfactory, and it was recognised that if any alteration were required something must be done during the present year. There was a. conflict of interests, and nothing was done in the matter. The matters upon which resolutions were adopted were comparatively trivial ones. Mr Chamberlain's suggestions for closer trade relations throughout the Empire produced a long discussion. It was resolved that the conference favour closer trade rela!tionß on the basis of mutual advantage, but were of the opinion that full inquiry by a commission of experts should be instituted, and that any definite proposals subsequently made should receive the fullest consideration from the Australasian Parliaments. It was decided that any Minister goiDg to the Washington Postal Conference to represent Australasia should be a Postmastergeneral elected by the Postmasterß-general of the several colonies. Numerous colonial politicians have been angling for the appointment, and this resolution will ensure the selection of a man who knowß something of the subject. A resolution was submitted with regard to Australian quarantine. The conference agreed to the suggestion that Federal stations should be established at Albany, Thursday Island, and Adelaide. It was decided that the colonies should exhibit at the Paris Exhibition in one court, forming part of the British Empire. The conference adopted a resolution earnestly urging the Imperial authorities to zealously guard and conserve British interests in the Pacific. With regard to the codification of the commercial law of the United Kingdom and the colonies, the conclusion arrived at was that it was best to deal wiih each subject by a special bill to enable the colonies to adopt portions of the code as passed*

It was agreed that the naturalisation laws should be assimilated, that the laws of one colony should operate judicially in the others, and that there should be a uniform company law. It was officially announced at the conclusion of tbe conference that some of the resolutions had not been adopted unanimously.