THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 19

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

A BLUE BOOK ISSUED. LONDON, November 4. A Blue Book, dealing with the Colo* t nial Conference, has been issued. It , contains a summary of the proceedings.The resolutions and appendices cover' the discussion on military defence and, , the preceding correspondence." The - book is warmly acclaimed, especially Mk*-. Chamberlain's opening address, Lord Selborne's naval statement, Sir John Forrest's minute, and Mr BrodrickV candour. . I ' November 7.> Owing to criticisms of. the Blue Book, - Mr Chamberlain has explained that the publication is restricted to matters '- agreed upon for publication. All thafc - was confidential was withheld. ~ ~ j BERLIN, November 5. ; " The German newspapers make unfriendly comments belittling the Imperial , Conference Blue Book. The Vossiche ■'- Zeitung says that after Germany's retaliation Canada and the colonies would not venture to adopt the preferential" principle enunciated at the conference; SOFIA, November 5/ ' Colonel Fontcheff, one of the leaders y of the popular movement in Macedonia, has arrived here. He attributes the collapse of the insurrection to thesecession of Lieutenant Saratoff, whoformed a Revolution Committee on his., own lines. MELBOURNE, November 5.? Sir Johu Forrest is astounded at the publication of his minute in th - Imperial Conference Blue Blook. Ifc was ■ confidential, and contained no more, than his personal views, and did not, nor w« it intended tor, commit the Govermnejafc-' in any way. Hs asks Sii E. Barton^in order to prevent misconception, to haTe the minute published. The Premier, -if after consideration he thinks this de- ' sirable, will publish the minute to* "' morrow. , ; - November 7.. Now that the Blue Book has bee* ' published, Sir E. Barton has coimnurii-; cated to the press the full text of th« ■ resolutions of the Imperial Conference*

The price of best flour in Melbourne -if ■ now quoted at £11 pep ton. Two millera are supplying a large manufacturer, under . contracts made last December, at £6 15a *mt top.

'public.— Notice was" given, that at tte mcx executive meeting the question of the de arableneas of appointing some suitable an< energetic person as canvasser and genera travelling agent in the interests of th< Southland Province unions would be raised and the chairman was requested in th< meantime to ascertain, if a suitable percoi was available. A special meeting of the Riversdale brand ■was held on the Ist inst. Mr E. M'Alistei presided. The meeting was called with th< view of selecting a candidate as the branch' i nominee for the Wakatipu electorate; but owing to all the- candidates hot having hat an "opportunity of sending in. the replies sub mitted by the union, it was resolved thai no. further action be taken in the matter it the meantime. — The -Chairman brought u{ the matter of county elections, with the re •ult that a lengthy discussion took place or the subject. In 'bringing the matter before the meeting Mr M'Alister stated that he bad been approached by several ratepayer! to bring the question before the branch. He thought it was only right that fanners should be represented on the County Council and in Parliament by members whose interests were identical with their own and who lived amongst them, and, in short, by one oi themselves. In Mr Reid, one of the candidates for the Hokonui riding, they had a gentleman more likely to know the wants of the farmer, and who was in a better position to do " so' than. a candidate who had, comparatively speaking, no connection with farming or farm interests. - He was pleased that he had been approached on the subject,, and thought that it came within- the scope^of the Far- " mere' Union. Mr J. Heenan agreed "with the remarks- of the chairman, and moved — "That this branch of the Farmers' Union support the candidature of Mr'""W. Reid at the forthcoming county elections, and tbat members be urged to do their utmost to secure that gentleman's return." This was seconded by Mr D. Stevenson. After several members had spoken to the motion, it was carried unanimously. The monthly meeting of the Wyndbam branch took 'place on the Ist met., Mr D. Doull in the chair. Letters were read from the Southland Times and the News on the subject of the Invercargill reports on the produce markets, promising in each case to keep a watchful eye upon these, and the Times intimated that, if the reports continued to be unreliable, their publication ■would be discontinued. — A reply was read from the Department of Agriculture in regard to the question of a scale of charges for "the services of Government vet*. It was undei consideration, but Mr Ritchie said be was afraid that the request could not be given effect to, as the veterinarians had certain duties to perform which could not be left at a moment's notice. The bulk of the veterinarians were engaged at one or another of the meat works. — The Secretary for Agriculture replied that the Government proposed next session to introduce a bill to deal with the subject of the selling of manures under a guarantee analysis. — The secretary was instructed to draw attention to the Glasstestimonial when advertising next month's meeting. At the conclusion of the monthly meeting of the Fortrose branch, Mr Patterson, Go- < ■vernment veterinary surgeon, gave a lecture on diseases of stock, going most fully into those of the cow as being jnore likely to be of benefit in a dairying district The audience was .lelighted with his - address, " which was a thoroughly practical one and . given in, a most lucid manner. He was very strong on weeding out all cows, that were at ..ll in suspicious health, and pointed out the danger that the wives and children of the farmers ran in handling such cattle. He strongly advised all dairy farmers to have their herds tested, and stated that some of them in connection with the department would shortly be in the district, when they could have sach cow tested at a :ost of 6d. Mr Patterson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his, address. At the last meeting of the Upper Clutha branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union a member gave notice that he would move at the next meeting, held at Hawea Flat, that farmers and pastoralists consider the advisability of giving their employees a Saturday half-holiday. A branch of the Farmers' Union has been formed at Glenorcby, at the head of Lake .Wakatipu.