IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10957, 27 April 1907, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE EMIGRATION QUESTION

STRAIGHT TALK BY MR DEAKIN

(Press Assn. — By Telegraph. — Copyright.)

(Received April 27, 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 26. I At the Imperial Conference, speaking on the Australian emigration resolution, Mr Deakin stated tliat .the Agent-General considered the Emigrants' Information Bureau little good. His sharp criticisms of the conduct of that branch of the Colonial Offic© disconcerted the officials, particularly their attitude as regards the recruiting of labor here for Queensland sugar. He stated that an official attempted to explain the omissions from the Bureau's report on the ground that it was undesirable to say much respecting the ' kanaka- and Wliite Australia questions. Mir Deakin retorted that Australia was not ashamed of her treatment of kanakas or of the Wliite Australia policy. The Bureau was at perfect liberty to speak on . botli questions. Mr Deakin dwelt on the \ urgent need for increased immigration m j Australia, and indicated the sort that was likefy to succeed. Sir Joseph Ward said New Zealand needed carefully selected 1 immigrants, preferably possessing some capital. Any scheme on the lines outlined by the inter-depart-mental committee would require most careful consideration.

Mr John Bu-ns insisted that the Bureau liad done valuable work, but the Govern, ment wer© consider' ng the advisability of its reorganisation. He stated that tho proportion of emigrants proceeding to British colonies as compared with foreign countries x^-as steadily increasing. He did not approve of colonisation by bodies of persons. He thought there was an opportunity now for the colonies to obtain useful artisan colonists, especially builders. He emphasised the extreme Value of cluld emigration on the lines fo Dr. Barnardo's Homes. Tlie subject of naturalisation was raised. The New Zealand and Cape resolutions were discussed. Mr Gladstone explained the- .draft of, the Imperial Naturalisation Bill/ which was apparently considered satisfactory. Mr Gladstone suggested certain principles of naturalisation. -He 'affirmed; that the details would be left to a subsidiary conference. Tliis was considered undesirable, the Conference preferring to examine the^subject. Further discussion was adjourned. Mr Deakin and Sir Joseph Ward sawMr Asquith and a dozen Treasury experts, who said it was impossible to take action regarding the double income tax and decimal metric system. The delegates regretted that discussion liad proved fruitless. The question of silver coinage was then raised. The officials presented a memorandum showing it was impossible to agree to Australia s proposals. Mr Deakin replica .that- the memorandum did not contain figures enabling him to test the general reasoning adduced. He wished information respecting, the apparent profit on the coinage of v silver used m Australia, Mr Asquith directed tliat the information be supplied. ..'■-..'.'* Mr Deakin also asked for figures showing what Canada paid for her subsidiary coinage. The discussion -was postponed. . The Imperial Conference is to-day dealing with the question of Court of Appeal.