CABLEGRAMS.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11959, 12 June 1907, Page 3

CABLEGRAMS.

F?|i "![SIR J. I G. W ARD.

•" fleoeived June 12,. 1.3 a.m.*KF MHH -"^^^^BBrthr June 11. / ■ Interviewed this morning on Lie I*6 turn from London, Sir J. G. Ward was asked *o state his opinion oh tbo general, results of both the Imperial Conference and the Maritime Confereace. He stated that in his opinion both Conferences had justified tbe'calling together of representatives of the self-governing colonifs. In respect to the Maritime Conference, the results affected the Commonwealth more than New Zealand, for the reason that his country already had a Shipping anrf Seamen's Act upon the Statute Bovk that provided for nearly all mattors that were dealt with by thp Cpnferohrp. Some points, however, of General application were dealt with which were of material interest to New Zealand. The protection of local shipowners, as woll as officers and seamen, from unfais competition from abroad: together with thp assimilation of various rules fvf practice where it was possible to pive effeci to them, were most vwlua*»le He intended to ask the Parli.im»nt of New Zealand to legislate in accordance with the resolution carried at the Conference in places where legislation was necos sary. It would, in his opinion, have been a good thin 7 had the Maritime Conference met ten yores ago, for then representative men of England and the colonies might have devised common grounds of action and so prevented many difficulties that haw subsequently arisen. One great eocd resulting from the Conference follow? from the fact that shipping interest? in the United Kingdom and colonies were brought face to face, round s common table, where personal discussion, and a frank interchange of opinion did ho much to clear and remove misunderstandings that must inevitably exist where everything was left to correspondence and despatches. Sir J. Ward said that the success of the Conference was in no small [measure due to the tact and ability displayed by Mr Lloyd (George; where so many conflicting interests were concerned the risk of friction was great and that this' did not oicur was due, not only to thp reasonable attitude of the delegates but equally to the courtesy and judgment of t*e president. While naturally'rind properly alive to bis enormous responsibilities as the Official Head of the world wide shipping trade of the United Kingdom be showed an evident desire to meet the views of the Common wealth, and New Zealand wherever he possibly could. In refarance to the Imperial Conference, here tie difficulties presenting themselves were in some respects very neat indeed. It was the first real business conference of representative men from the oversea dominions in at had taken place in EiK'land. The former conferercp.s had" dote good work, but that wrrk was entirely of a preliminary char c-t-r. Practical issues were first de;Jt with at this Conference. He would liava grently liked to have seen Preferential Trade agreed to by tlv British representatives. However, he could not shut his eyes to the position of the British Government, who were returned with a record majority pledged, among other things, to a continuance of Freetrade. In common with other inomhrra of the Conference, he, Sir J. Ward, had pressed the poi&t that Preference was quite distinct from Freatrado, and could be given effect to without violating the principles of that doctrine. The British Gov firnment, however, were rot prepared to accept this view, hence the most that could be said was that a good deal was done in the way of educating public op'nion upon that point A most important step was taken in the establishing of the Conference as a permanent institution, with the Prime Minister of Great Britain as the standing president. The actual constitution of the Conference, its functions, and machinery for doing its work, were left to be settled at a future meeting, and this, in his -opinion, was a very wise step,. Meantime the roacbiney would be worked by the Colonial Office. The discussions that <mk place in connection with tho military and naval defences of the Empire, particularly in relation to the colonies, was of the greatest importance. In respect to naval defence the views of tho Common wealth differed from those of New Zealand and he, Sir J. Ward, naturally expressed no opinion as to the course pursued by the Commonwealth as i'c was a matter entirely for them to decide'upon. New Zealand preferred to continue tbe existing system under which the whole naval defence is conducted and controlled Ly the Admiralty, New Zealand contributing upon a money basis. He had explained at the Conference that they had yet, for many years tho development of their country to provide for, and tbe obligations this entailed were as much as the colony -was justified in undertaking. He hoped, however, that tbe course tbe Coiumonwealth proposed to take would tuin out to be one of preat success to- them. Sir J. Ward further expressed satisfaction that his suggestions in favor of the cheap en ing of postal and cable rates and the quickening of the mail communication, together with the establishment of commercial delegates representing the British Government in British colonies were well received both by the representatives in Conference and also by the British Government, and he hoped tbat practical lesults would follow. Sir J. Ward, in reply to an enquiry as to the attitude of the British Government at the Conference, expressed himself in high terms of appreciation of the courtesy and consideration extended to all the dele?ates by Lord Elgin who most capably presided. Asked as to his impressions of London, he gaid that tbe hjspitality and kindness that he and his party received from all sections of the British people from the day of his arrrival would never be forgotten by them. The pressure of work daily, outside the Conference itself bad given him an exceedingly busy time, but he was returning to New Zealand with delightful remecnbranoea oi his visit. These were enhanced by the fact that a great link in the chain of Imperial brotherhood had been siren-' thened throughout the memorable Conference of 1907.