THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1578, 7 May 1887, Page 1

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

London, May 2. Lord Rosebery has entertained the Conference delegates at a banquet. Referring to the defence of Thursday Island and Albany, Sir Henry Holland asked whether, if the War Office next year applied for a vote for the modern armament of those stations, the colonies would construct the necessary forts and barracks. The probable cost of arming Albnnv with guns anrl mirips would b« £14,000 ; construction of forts, £13,000 and maintenance is fix 'd at £6OOO per annum. The details of the cost of defending Thursday Island hive not been named, but it is expected that guns and forts would cost as much as those for Albany. Mr Forrest, on behalf of Western Australia, offered to bear onefourth of the cost of the maintenance of these defeuces, and hoped that in ten years at least they would be able to bear the whole coßt. Nothing has been decided, but it is probable that the War Office will make a fresh offer, which will be settled after the Conference is over. London, May 8.

At to-day's sittim? of the Imperial Conference, the discussion on trade questions was resumed. With a view to establishing a commerical union of the different parts of the ilimpire, it was generally recognised that uniformity of tarriff was impossible, but it. was considered that a uniform differential duty was desirable. Sir Dillon Bell proposed that the privilege conceded to Canada to negotiate commercial treaties with foreign States should be extended to the Australasian Colonies. The proposal, however, wbb not approved of by the delegates, who considered the prbcedent of Canada showed such concessions would not tend to promote the unity of the Empire. The delegates are subscribing for a pipce of plate, to be presented to Sir H, Holland. The Conference will close on Monday. May 4. Referring to the Imperial Conference the Times says it is conspicuous by its success. The Press generally consider that the colonies haye a good bargain in the naval arrapgements decided, at the Conference, Lonpon, May 5.

The Conference delegates were formally received by the Queen at Windsor Castle to-day. Her Majesty received them separately, but the delegates were together when the joint address was presented. In replying to the address, the Queen declared that it gavp her the greatest pleasure and pride to know the loyalty and affection of her colonial subjects hod developed along with their prosperity and success. She congratulated the delegates on the results ofthepppferenop, The Colonial Judgments Bill is nearly ready for consideration. Mr Wisdom opposes the clause providing that notice be given to debtors agamst whom judgment has been obtained of the intention to enforce sueh ju.lgmenf.