IMPERIAL UNION
I OTTAWA, February 13. Colonel Hughes moved a resolution in the Dominion House of Commons advocating a full partnership union between Great Biitain and the colonies. He favoured one Imperial Parliament, with lepresentatives from every part of the Empire, the British and colonial Parliaments to continue to deal with home affairs. Sir W. Laurier (the Premier) said that their legislative independence had proved the closest bond of union between the Motherland and the colonies. There could be no ground for Imperial union except with absolute Fieetrado between the component States. Canada had no grievance legarding her lelations with the Motherland. | Sir F. W. Bordon (Minister of Militia) I said it was not necessaiy to have an Itapeiial Federation based on Imperial Freetrade. Many thought that the Empire would be bound closer by means of preference. He believed that closer relations Mould be secured by the procets of growth and development. Colonel Hughes withdrew his motion. LONDON, February 17. The Times, commenting on the remoteness of th-e establishment of any central Imperial political organisation, says that Mr Balfour, in bis speech in the House of ( Commons, went further than was necessary, since the principle is already recognised in periodic conferences, which might become continuous instead of intermittent. ' As to the question of defence, The Times declares that there might be a common consultation ensuring a uniform plan of co-operation. February 18. j Mr W. P. Reeves (High Commissioner for New Zealand) suggests that iir the event of the Colonial Conference becoming a permanent council and meeting when necessary, there (should be attached thereto an Advisory Commission in London consisting of colonial experts and including the High Commissioners and Agents geneial. It would collect and tabulate information on all Imperial I questions. Such a council would tend to
' diminish the chances of friction betweel, the Motherland and the colonies.
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Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 28
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309IMPERIAL UNION Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 28
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