COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8794, 23 April 1907, Page 2

COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Press Comments.

Press Association.—-Copyright. Londoh, April 22. During the discussions at the Conference Sir 'William Lyne objected to the title "Imperial',' applied to the Conference,- unless its limitations were defined. ' The Spectator say 3 the Conference is a lesson in politioal charity, and shows that it is quite possible to maintain freedom of the component parts of the Empire along with a very real unity. The great thing to be avoided is placing any limita-

tion or even strain upon the principle of liberty. It adds: "We have no hesitation in saying that freedom is greater than free trade, and expect and believe that Protectionists, whether here or in the colonies, will say also that freedom is greater than Protection." The Daily Chronicle, discussing the first fruits of the Conference, declares that these resolutions will assure perpetuity and continuity, while the Prime Minister's assumption of the Presidency will add to the status of the Conference, lifting it above the level of a merely departmental affair. Moreover, the provision for subsidiary Conferences renders such incidents as those which arose in connection with Newfoundland and the New Hebrides impossible. The Tribune, the Standard, Chronicle, and other newspapers protest against the official daily reports, of the Conference as mere shadows of the transactions. There is a strong feeling among the Premiers that a full report should . now be issued to members of the Conference, and daily instalments should also be issued to the public, minus such secret matters as those connected with defence as Lord Elgin might decide to omit. The Times says that the decisions of the Conference are good as far as they go. They have provided some machinery possibly of great practical value for the future, but it is idle to disguise do not realise the full measure of what was hoped—the designation of an Imperial Conference with the Prune Minister as ex-offioio president. It is far the fullest recognition on an equal footing the Imperial States have yet been given and goes beyond the position Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-lrilm took at the opening. It is to be -hoped that at future Conferences the. Prime Minister will preside personally throughout. Nevertheless, the Secretariat seems to have been restricted as far as possible, remaining "essentially as a section of the Colonial Office. This is hardly consistent witli the earlier part of tho resolution. If the self-governing colonies are placed on an equality with the Homo Government it is scarcely logical that the official staff in dealing with their business would be subordinated to the Colonial Secretary and actually within his ordinary department, for sooner or later tho Secretariat would have to emerge. The Princess of Wales informed Mrs Deakin that she was deeply touched by the message of loyalty and love from tho women of Australia. The Daily Telegraph says that the Conference of Prime Ministers of the Empire is now an accomplished fact. Each has a responsibility to his own part of the Empire, while as a body tho Premiers are responsible to the whole Empire. That is a great gain. The Daily News declares that it is fitting that this great step should be made under the aegis of a Liberal Government. The mouthpiece of the permanent officials would have conceded the Conference all the trappings of national independence ami " Imperial partnership, while chanting it more firmly to Downing stofct. It proceeds to eulogise Mr Doa kin's courage, and regrets that Sir W. Laurier deserted the cause of the younger nations. The Daily Mail says that Lord Elgin's ruling at the first sitting that Ministers accompanying Premiers were expected to remain within call of the Colonial Office in case they were wanted for consultation, was a delicate request to withdraw. The phrase "within call" astounded Ministers, who indignantly asked why they have been brought to England unless for the purpose of participating in the Conference. Sir W. Lyne propounded two alternatives, either that he should be treated as a member of the Conference, or that lie would leave the country within 24 hours. His threat had a good effect. Tho Standard expresses satisfaction at the progress made, considering the British spirit of caution and compromise. A stroke of the pen abolishes the conception of the sister States as dependencies of the Motherland. Britain's Premier in future will be primus inter pares. The Daily Express declares that tho week's'work has been excellent. The Daily Graphic hopes that an Under-Secretary will be appointed to superintend the new division and to deal with the self-governing States. Tho Times declares that the reason the confereance did not go farther was that the Premiers were not unanimous. Meanwhile, for the common consultation so necessary to avoid mistakes in Imperial policy, they must look to the ample use of ' subsidiary Conferences. The Tribune predicts that the common business of the Empire j,will be notably facilitated. The'Toronto (Canada) Mail, "the chief organ of the conservatives, complains that Sir W. Laurier's attitude at the Conference is cold, indifferent, and unfair - towards Canada. Lady Ward's Views-

Lady Ward states that she does not wish to sec women members of Parliament,"as their work lies' at homo. Fifir Deakin Explains. Mr Deakin states that neither he nor any other Premier ever suggested the creation of an authoritative body ■with executive or legislative jurisdiction. Lord Elgin's denunciation of an independent body which would iterfere with autonomy is beside the question, since none ever hinted at such a proposal. All through Messrs Deakin, Jameson, Moore, and Sir Joseph Ward had simply been fighting for independence of future conferences in regard to!.the Colonial Office, and as far as possible of the British Public Service. Although they had not cured emancipati ;n from the Colonial Office that would be won next Conference. ftlr Reid's ViewsSydney, April 23. Mr Reid, interviewed, said he was glad Mr Deakin's proposal was modified so as to leave arrangements in connection with the Imperial Conference very much as they were. The importance and dignity of future conferences would be augmented considerably by the fact that the British 'Prime Minister would bs ex-offlcio President. Referring to Sir W. Lyne's attitude, he declared that wherever Sir W. Lyne went there was sure to be some chain broken.