A DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4736, 9 December 1886, Page 2

A DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

London, Dec. 8. The substance of the despatch dated 25th November, addressed to the Secre tary of State to the Governors of the colonies, and which is published, refers to the allusion made in the Queen's speech on September 25th to the colonies' state : —The Imperial Government have given mature consideration to the messages therein promised, and concluded to advise the Queen to summon a Conference in London in April and May next to which the representatives of the colonies should be invited specially to discuss the question of common interest. It is not intended to commit the Imperial Government or the Colonial Governments to the new proposals entailing heavy expense, but rather to secure the fullest utilizing of sums devoted for defence. In time of peace it would be useful to consider the promotion of telegraph cable extension on a complete Imperial system, embracing all parts of the Empire, avoiding any increase of expenditure. The Colonial Secretary hopes for the cordial co-opera-tion of the colonies, as the Government think the question urgent and capable of useful consideration in order to prepare for military defence. The time has arrived for an understanding to prepare for the defence throughout the Empire, and it is hoped the Conference will recommend the principles for promoting general defence of the Empire. The despatch deprecates any discussion by the Conference on the question of political federation of the Empire. The Conference) will be purely consulative and equal representation of colonies will therefore not be essential. It is suggested thatafew leading colonists besides the Auents-General, should attend. The Secretary of State will buProsident of the Conference. " UUUGH ON 1TC1I."— " Hough on Hull " ture skin humors, uiuption:;, ringworm, tcttur, salt rheum, frostiil fcufc, chilblain*, itch, i\y poison, burber'b itcli.