YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 98, 15 June 1911, Page 5

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS.

(Received 15, 8.5 a.in.) .Loudon, Juno 14. Mr. Churchill, dealing with Mr. La tender s motion, said uniformity was important, and would be a great advantage if they could remedy the present inconveniences. Any system must no eased on the assent of the local Parliaments. The Draft Bill must not oo regarded as final or perfect, but simply as a peg whereon to Jiang discussion. Luca Dominion must judge upon the conditions under which certificates were granted. If effect should no given to tno wishes expressed they must face two standards of naturalisation—local and imperial. Britain would not depart from the five years qualifying period. Ho •suggested tiiat any person obtaining a Dominion ccrtineaie cm.ld apply for an Imperial certificate. Thus it would lie possible to allow existing diversities to continue, while it would be competent for Dominions to legislate to prevent an Imperial certificate issuing where naturalisation would lie refused in the p reticular Dominion. Ho suggested, firstly, that Imperial naturalisation should he world-wide and uniform, each Dominion remaining free to grant local certificates on its own lines; secondly, that the Mother Country finds it necessary to maintain the five years’ qualifying period, but a quinquennium anywhere in the Empire should bo equivalent to a quinquennium in the United Kingdom; thirdly, the granting of Imperial nationity in every case to bo discretionary, this discretion being exercised by those responsible in the area wiierc the applicant spent the last twelve months; fourthly, the Imperial Act should be so framed as to enable Dominions to adopt ,1b; fifthly, nothing now proposed shall affect the validity and effectiveness of local laws regulating immigration or differentiating between the class of Biitish subject. Mr. Churchill, Continuing, suggested that the Bill be re-drafted according to ins suggestions and submitted for consideration as soon as possible. Dr. Findlay said that some needless duplication in regard to local and Imperial applications might be avoided by an Imperial statute. It would then be open to the Dominions to adopt it or not. Mr. Batchelor said Mr. Churchill’s suggestions overcame most of the difficulties. It would bo convenient to set up an Imperial standard. Mr. Churchill moved his suggestion ns a resolution, which was carried. Sir Joseph Ward’s motion in favour cf uniform laws for accidents’ compensation was adopted. Mr. Churchill moved: “Where aliens arc deported from any Dominion to another, it is desirable that some system bo devised whereby the Governments concerned can effectively co-oporato in measures for the final deposition of such aliens.” This was adopted. The Conference agreed that the King’s Birthday should be celebrated throughout the Empire on June 3rd. They discussed the question of Empire Day, but no decision was reached. The Conference then adjourned till Thursday. (Received 15, 9.30 a.m.) London, Juno 14. The “Westminster Gazette” states that one decisive answer of Sir. Joseph Ward’s showed that ho feared disintegration unless closer unity in the governing institution was effected. As long as Britain was strong enough at sea . to prevent an enemy from attacking the Dominions, no such question would arise, and ‘therefore the question • of the navy from Alpha to Omega was British policy. The “Pall Mall Gazette” strongly supports Sir Joseph Ward’s contention that if there is no closer Council of the Empire than the gathering of Premiers once cvqry four years the outlook for "Imperial unity is grave and clouded. It adds that Sir Joseph Ward declines to believe that the Empire can shuffle along with nothing but sentimental ties and still maintain unity under concrete ideals.