THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8789, 17 April 1907, Page 2

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Press Association Copyright. London, April 16. All the Premiers were present at the opening of -the Conference, except ».ir E. Bond of Newfoundland. Others present were :—Sir W. Lyne, Sir P. W. Borden (Canada), Dr T. W. Smartt (Capo Colony), Mr John Motley, Mr Haldane, ■ Lord Tweedmouth, Mr John Bums, Mr Lloyd George, Mr Churchill, and Sir I. ; Hop wood. . j Lord Elgin announced that the King ! telegraphed:—At your first meeting I wish you to convey to the Premiers and representatives of the colonies a warm welcome on my behalf, and inform them I shall look forward with pleasure to receiving them on my return. The subjects submitted to the Conference involving .matters of weighty interest not merely to the colonies represented but to the Empire, will, I am sure, receive most careful attention, I am confident that the decisions will tend to closer union of the colonies and the Motherland and strengthen the; confederation of my Empire. ... Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman said he had much pleasure in sincerely welcoming the Premiers, all of whom were friends, and most personal friends, of himself or other Ministers. He recalled Sir Wilfred Laurier’s, Mr Deakin’s and Sir E. Bond’s services at past conferences. The others appeared for the first time. A special greeting was extended to

General Botha, the “Benjamin of the Brotherhood ” whose presence the Pro- j miers would welcome as cordially as the j British Government. The Premier of Orangia would also have been welcomed had its constitution been established but there would no avoidable delay in granting the constitution. He recognised the great inconvenience and public and personal sacrifices the Premiers had to

make in attending, and hoped they would obtain ' solid compensation. He emphasised ■ the affectionate interest and pride the Motherland felt in the colonies. It was not necessary to indulge in too frequent effusive protestations of friendly attachment and the House of Commons’ solicitude was more significant in that they to->k this for granted. Glancing at the programme Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman remarked that this was not a conference between Premiers and Colonial Secretary but between Premiers and the British Government under the presidency of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, which was a very different matter. The view sometimes taken of the proper relations of the colonies to the Motherland respecting expenditure on armaments was somewhat modified. It was possible to over estimate the importance of requirements of oversea dominions as a factor in our expenditure, but the cost of naval defence and responsibility for the conduct of foreign affairs hung together. Emigration was also a matter of the utmost moment to the colonies and the Motherland. Continuing he said —Mr John Burns will join your councils, and regarding India Sir J. L. Mackay will advise. The Ministers for War and Admiralty will also attend and, when questions of finance and trade arise, _ Messrs

Asquith and Lloyd George will statu tho views of tho British Government. Preference must hold a prominent position. Tho Government arc fully prepared to recognise the friendly action laken by some of the colonies and discuss tho subject in tho fullest and frankest manner. I hope an agreement will bo arrived at on many points, and if regarding others we are compelled to differ, wo shall differ not merely in a friendly way, but with mutual respect for the ground , and motives whereon the differences are based. Tha Conference is unable to arrive at binding deeisionsas it must consult the wishes and intentions of the respective countries’ parliaments, but subject to that limitation I firmly believe there remain matters of great moment where there is room for arrangement and advance. I hope you will be able to find a method of continuing between tho conferences the definite communications which conferences make necessary, but anything militating against the freedom of action and independence of individual states is undesirable and wholly contrary to the genius of our race and political ideals, and sooner or later woidd be disastrous.” He recalled Mr Chamberlain’s eulogy of the sentimental and almost invisible link of union which is, stronger than a chain palling in its incidence. Freedom did not necessarily mean letting things drift. He favoured auxiliary conferences like the Navigation Conference. The Premiers would find exhibited a mutual spirit of friendship and a desire to stretch every point stretchable in order to meet the views of each part of the Empire, and a desire to avoid prejudicing the interests of each other. Above all persons they would bo inspired and invigorated by our common prido ia the great beneficent mission the British people were destined to fulfil in all parts of tho world. Sir Wilfred Laurier declared that the King’s message constituted an excellent commencement for this Conference between Government and Governments, not between Premiers, and Lord Elgin said the Conference would be able to agree on many things. They were unable at present to agree on many, but all were moving towards the same goal. If tho principle is always recognised that every community knows best what is good for itself we cannot go wrong and our deliberations must be fruitful. Mr Deakin said Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man’s wise and weighty words were most fitting for the opening, his many memorable sentences recognising the principle we are anxious to uphold at this Conference between Governments and Governments, due recognition being had to the seniority and scope of those Governments. Millions in Australia would uphold and gladly road Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman’s utterances on a subject which was not overlaid by many weeks of other impressions, so the proceedings would become living, actual, concrete. He emphasised the importance of publicity to enable the full educational influence of the Conference to be felt oversea. That strict confidence should be observed was unnecessary since the Conference had but little executive or legislative power. The great mass of the subjects on the agenda might be discussed almost in public. He considered she suggestion for subsidiary conferences extremely pregnant, especially when he recognised that the powers of Federal Governments, though very large, were yet limited. He instanced tho question of education. He almost wished that the Conference Had been held out of the London season when Parliament was not sitting,- leaving tho Imperial Ministers at leisure, and public attention less occupied. He reminded the Conference that its colonial representatives represented great countries and represented great communities whose future possibilities equally with the present mnst he taken into account. They desire for their own sake equally with yours, to be knit closer in mutual understanding. He recalled the late Earl Granville’s references

to ties of both steel and silk at tho Conference of 1887 and applauded Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman’s chivalrous reference to Mr Chamberlain. He suggested that tho Prime Minister of Britain ought to bo at least the titular President of future Conferences, thus acknowledging the principle of governments conferring with governments. Sir. Joseph Ward fully recognised there would soon be very great differences of opinion on some questions, but conference with men of ripened judgment might remove difficulties. He recognised among all classes in the Motherland a common desire to draw the Empire closer and hoped tho day would come when colonial questions would bo as distinct from party as foreign affairs. Ho admitted that the colonies wore sometimes impulsive, but they were more able to stoar clear of difficulties than the Motherland, consequently attaining a position of greater comfort. Received 11.21 p.m., April 16. After passing a vote of thanks to Sir H, Campbell-Bannerman for presiding, the Conference decided to first discuss tho constitution of tho Conference and military defence questions. It was resolved that tho proceedings bo hold in private, and a daily precis of tho proceedings bo issued, and early publication of a Blue Book after the termination of the Conference. Tho Conference adjourned till Wednesday.

Tho Premiers Entertained. London, April 16. Earl Beauchamp’s dinner and subsequent reception to Jtho Premiers was a brilliant function. Fourteen hundred invitations wore issued and tho guests included tho leading members of the society and political world and tho diplomatic corps and Agents-General. Speech From Botha-

Botha, who spoko Dutch, took tho stand that his attendance showed that thojold Dutch work equally loyally with the British for the welfare of the Empire. M ■ . Sir Wilfred Lanrlor moved a vote of thanks to SirJH. Campbell-Ban-nerman, who, replying, said that it gave, him uumixod pleasure to bo present. Tho Premiers telegraphed to tho King yesterday presenting (heir 1 humble duty, and desiring to aoI knowledge gratefully his gracious { telegram, which would bo ft fiowroo

of great encouragement in their labours. A telegram of deep sympathy was Sent to Mr Chamberlain. .'

The Position of Ministers

Sir William Lyno, evincing some displeasure, withdrew when Lord Elgin hinted that the subsequent proceedings were limited to Premiers, except when the departments of individual Ministers were concerned. This raised a discussion, resulting in the agreement that Ministers should have liberty to attend any meetings, but only to speak when the President or their own Premier desired it, except when their own Departments were concerned. All Ministers were thereupon requested to return.

Press Opinion.

The Times,'in an article on the Imperial Conference, gives prominence to articles by Mr W. E. Forster —at one time Chief Secretary for Ireland—published iu the Nineteenth Century in March and February 1885, relating to the consultation of the colonies and a Board of Advice.

The Times says that King Edward aptly expressed the hopes with which his subjects, and not least the representatives of the self-governing colonies, regard the discussion begun in the Conference. Sir Henry Camp-bell-Bannerman made a favourable impression. There is no apparent sign of his former tending to ignore the material links of Empire. The Premiers accepted his recognition of the Conference as a consultation by Colonial Governments and the Home

Government, in its various capacities, on the financial, naval, military, and commercial position. Regarding preference, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was brief, but not nuconciliatory. Both the Homo Government and the majority of the Colonial Governments seem to recognise that in the matter of iuterImperial policy the most feasible path of advance at present is the provision for some continuous means of communication for purposes of fuller consultation Australian proposals showing the direction in which things are moving. The Standard declares that Mr

Doakin in demanding a full report is not spokesman for tho Commonwealth alone, and publicity is the greatest of all statesmen. The Daily Mail complains that Sir HeuryOampbsli-Bauuerman administered a cold douche to the colonial representatives. The Daily Chronicle says the Conference has made a favourable start, though Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man would have done better to as-

Tho Daily Telegraph declares tha( the opening is full of promise. Other newspapers are congratulatory.

Lord Elgin’s Attitude

Sir William Dyne’s stiff attitude forced the reversal of the decision to limit the attendance of Ministers at the Conference.

Lord Elgin resisted until he recognised the Premiers’ insistence. He adopted a similar attitude regarding the publicity of the proceedings. The Colonial Office wishen to’limt the daily precis to a few words, but the Premiers insisted upon more.

Freedom of tho City.

Tho Premiers and suites drove in a procession of five carriages from the Hotel Cecil to the Guildhall to receive the, Freedom of the City of Loudon. The streets wore crowded and decorated with flags. The visitors were accorded an enthusiastic reception, Botha being especially cheered.

Sir W. Treloar held a reception of Premiers in the library of the Guildhall. It was a picturesque function, and was witnessed by a crowded assemblage ;of ladies and gentlemen. Botha was the hero of the • occasion. Mr Doaldu, Sir J. Ward, Sir W. Laurier, Mr Balfour, Sir H. Camp-bell-Bannerman, Field Marshals Roberts and White were also greatly applauded. After the Premiers had sworn loyalty to the King, and also, like good citizens, “paid their shot and taken their lot,” the freedom of the city was conferred on them. Sir J. 0. Dimsdale, City Chamberlain, in an eloquent speceh, said there was no parallel in the city annals to the present occasion. He was delighted to honor Britons who had sacrificed their lives to develops and consolidate the dominions.

Mr Deakin, in reply, said they all deeply prized the magnificent token of regard; no welcome was more acceptable nor more appropriate.

Presiding at the . luncheon Sir W. Treloar declared there was no greater honor than the City’s gift. Sir W. Laurier predicted that the conference would prove a success and would show what was possible and what was impossible and ought to bo avoided. He declared that only Britain would have thought of conferring full citizoship within five years of the war. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, proposing the health of the Lord Mayor, considered that conferring the freedom of the city was a seasonable and reasonable attention.