IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10961, 2 May 1907, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph.— Copyright.) (Received May 2, 8.44 a.m.) LONDON, May 1. The Times says Mr Deakiu's statement was a forcib.e and comprehensive political event. The sentimental side of the questionjpr the moment was lost. The most important point was that it was emphatically tlie duty of a Government setting such a store on sentimental ties to do nothing to wrench the strong sentiment of tive Empire on this issue. The Morning Post says Uie debate must extract from the Government an official version of their case against preference. It would thereafter be the duty of Unionists to obtain the necessary mandate from the electorate. The Daily Mail says the Government's treatment, of preference was based on the prinoiple of a verdict first' and trade after- ' wards. The irony of it is that after deny- . ing the reality of the colonial offer, they ' were doomed to hear statesmen reiterating it. . The Daily News hopes Mr Deakin will carry away a message that England woud be g'ad to give the colonies free trade, free navy, common citizenship, and the cheapest money, but would not tax food or restrict industry The Standard relies on the colonial statesmen to educate and influeftce the Motherland to even up the disastrous decision Of- the electors in January, 1906. Merely one-half of the nation. is prepared to accompany them the whole road. The Tribune congratulates Mr Deakin on the thoroughness and frankness of his statement, and says the people of the Motherland wish the colonials to speak out and their own, statesmen to answer. There was no playing with Ti.ntara wire and pippins (a reference to Mr Lloyd Georges sarcastic remark of February 22nd) with Mr Deakin's . speech, hut on , tlhe merits of the question freetraders' opinion, is against a reversal of policy, "which is strengthened by" Mr Deakin's hea'thv and businesslike frankness. ;.