THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 15

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE SITTINGS CONCLUDED.

CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE

COLONIES.

LONDON, August 12

The Imperial Conference recommended the colonial and Imperial Governments to review the question of subsidies to mail ships, and advised that power should be obtained to acquire all future cables on equitable terms. The conference favoured the metric P} r stein, and mutual protection of patents throughout the Empire.

Sir E. Barton did not make any proposal regarding further annexation in the Pacific at present. New Guinea will be converted into a territory of the Commonwealth under an act of the Federal Parliament next session.

The conference has concluded. The proceedings will not be published, though the resolutions will be issued shortly as a parliamentary paper.

Sir E. Barton considers the results as satisfactory as he expected. He thinks Mr Chamberlain reasonably satisfied, though he had not obtained all he hoped. Imperial Freetrade being impossible, the conference favours such preferential treatment to British products and manufactures as the colonial Parliaments may approve, leaving the Imperial Parliament to make such return as is open to it. The colonies retain entire control of their land forces. The naval agreement, which Sir E. Barton couH-ders satisfactory, will enable Australasia to take a more prominent part iv the defence of the station than at present. The agreement also granted facilities for training a naval reserve iv Imperial warthips.

August 14. The sums mentioned at the Premiers'

Conference as proposed annual contributions to the Imperial navy include — Cape Colony, £50,000; New Zealand, £40,000; Natal, £35,000. It is understood Canada will enter into a special agreement for the maintenance of the navy. The colonies promised £100.000 towards the Victoria memorial, including Canada £30,000, Cap© £20,000, and Natal £10,000.