IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 25, 24 July 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

CO-OPERATION WITHIN THE EMPIRE. WHAT THE CONFERENCE ACCOMPLISHED. By Qable —Press Association—Copyright. London, July 21. In the debate on the Colonial Office estimates Mr. Harcourt, in reply to Sir Gilbert Parker, said that the 'mperial Conference had brought co-o" ration within the Empire nearer th;> > anv-. thing previously done at the v .>ufor ences.

I The resolution for a Royal Commi'--sion on Imperial trade would not prevent the dominions passing any legis- : lation they chose, but bound the com- | mission not to make recommendations I in reference to the fiscal policy in any | part of the Empire. Without absolute- | ly committing himself, he thought the | terms of the resolution ought to be the terms of reference, but if he found that this permitted enquiry into the fiscal policy of different parts of the Empire he would not hesitate to amend the reference. It was unfair to measure the accomplishments of the conference merely by the resolutions. Referring to the unwillingness of the Premiers to accept his proposal for a standing committee, he remarked that: it was an attempt to meet New Zea- 1 land's resolution, and it met the views of Sir Joseph Ward and the Australian representatives, but failed to appeal to the other members. The ultimate position was that the Premiers said, " Steady, young man, " you are going too fast." (Laughter.) He had to accept the position that no British Minister ever had been in before—namely, pressing on the dominions a greater amount of consultation than they wished; but he willingly accepted the decision of the conference. The consultations on Imperial defence had been a great success and of great value. The Court of Appeal arrangements had give ample satisfaction to every dominion. The debate was adjourned.