IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 81, 25 May 1911, Page 7

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

CABLE NEWS

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright United Dross Association.

THE OPENING SPEECHES. London, Alay 21. Air, Asquith said it was a happy coincidence t'hat the time chosen for the Conference enabled the statesmen of the .self-governing dominions to personally take part in the Coronation. The Empire was made up of countries not geographically co-terminous or even contiguous. It did not even draw its unifying or cohesive force solely from the identity of race or language. They had here a political organisation which hy its mere existence, ruled out the possibility of war between populations numbering something like a third of the human race. In the early Victorian era there were two rough-and-ready solutions of colonial problems. One was centralisation, or government from Downing-street. The other was disintegration, which each community as it reached manhood could, without cmbitterment, start its independent existence. After seventy years of Imperial evolution, neither theory commanded the faintest support of any part of the Empire. Now each intended to remain master of its own household and remain units, but units in greater unity. AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER. ML Fisher (Premier of Australia) said he came to the Conference as a wholehearted advocate of the Conference and to gain knowledge if he could not only of the centre of the Empire, hut of the centres of other dominions. He earnestly appealed to Air. Asquith to take some strong steps to remedy the grave abuse affecting the commerce of the Empire and other countries in the shape of the exorbitant Suez Canal charges. lie hoped the Government would afford the dominions more expeditious access to trade reports from every part of the world. Referring to the defence scheme, he said Australia desired to help in the preservation of the honor and greatness of the Mother Country, and would cheerfully co-operate with the Mother Country. While protecting her own shores the Commonwealth desired to assist anything in the shape of international arbitration and to preserve the peace of the world. SIR JOSEPH WARD. Sir Joseph Ward eulogised the late Sir Henry Banncrumn’s initiatory work resulting in the consolidation of South Africa, while preserving its local autonomy. It was essential to make a step forward if they wished to prevent the rise of disintegration. He recognised the necessity of elasticity in matters which might be the outcome of the Conference. GENERAL BOTHA GRATIFIED. General Botha (Premier of South Africa) was gratified to participate in the Conference. He was able to say that in South Africa, where there had been so much discord and so much blood flown, concord and harmony now reigned. They were inspired with the hope and courage for the future. TO ADMIT THE PRESS. Sir Wilfrid Lauricr (Premier of Canada) moved, and Air. Fisher seconded, an address of homage to the King. The motion was carried. Sir Joseph Ward, in moving the motion re the admission of the Press, referred to the difficulty of obtaining information in connection with the last Conference, a difficulty which the Press were unable to control. Sir Wilfrid Lauricr said the arrangements at the last Conference were satisfactory. The people of Now Zealand were as well informed r.s the people of London or Canada. If the Press were admitted, the deliberations would assume a public discussion. It was necessary to preserve privacy and publish the results and not differences of opinion. Air. Fisher sympathised with the resolution, hut said if the. Press, withdrew when a particular subject was discussed public attention would be markedly drawn. He suggested that the confhlcn f tial subjects be separated from the rest. General Boths. opposed the motion. Air. Asquith suggested that Sir Joseph Ward would not press fho motion. He appreciated his reasons, but it must be remembered that the Conference would not take the part of a public meeting. Its usefulness would he impaired if the questions were not discussed freely. The occasional exclusion of the Press would excite curiosity, and pictures would ho drawn of conflicts within the Conference. Sir Joseph Ward said that in view of the opinions expressed, he saw no chance of carrying the resolution, which lie withdrew. Air. Asquith explained that naval and military matters would be discussed in the Committee of Imperial Defence, where they would have the advantage of experts’ advice. Also it would probably he desirable not to bring other technical subjects to the Conference until discussed by the overseas representatives and the Imperial departments concerned.

LAST CONFERENCE. ITS FAR-REACHING RESULTS. London, Alay 24. Air. Asquith, during his speech, said there were proposals on the agenda aiming for some closer political union in the shape of an advisory council. With out offering an opinion, ho ventured f t observe that they should not lose sight of elasticity and flexibility in Tmperia.organisation. He trusted the Imperial Government would he able to offer acceptable suggestions in regard to the constitution of the Colonial Office and regarding the segregation and concentration of work appropriate to the dominions ffohl the Olhol’ work of the depart-

ment. He referred to the far-reaching results of the last Defence Conference, and the inauguration of the Canadian and Australian fleets, giving as they did further impetus to the spirit of self-reliance. It was highly desirable to take stock together of Hie possible risks and the dangers to which they wore exposed in common, and weigh carefully, and adequately the reciprocal adaptiveness of the contributions they were making and to provide against them. He believed there was throughout the Conference one spirit and one purpose, i.e.. to make the Empire in all its parts a more complete and effective instrument for the furtherance of liberty. Sir Wilfrid Lauricr said he might claim that the work of last Conference was productive of material and even important results. He represented a country which had no grievances and very few suggestions to make. They were satisfied with their lot and he approached his colleagues’ suggestion with an open mind. He recognised the truth of the principle that the British Empire can and ought to obtain live Imperial unity, together with their Iftral autonomy.