IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13264, 19 April 1907, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE LATE MR SEDDOX. United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. .'.'■■ LONDON, April 18. ; The Conference resumed to-day. .. : . Sir Joseph Ward moved a. ■ resolution ex-! pressing deep regret at Mr Seddon's death,; and recognising his strenjous work in \tlie< interest of the Empire. The' Earl of Elgin endorsed Sir Joseph: Ward's eulogy of the deceased statesman.; The resoultion was unanimously carried ■ in silence. i v AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL. LONDON, April. 18, The Conference then proceeded to :discuss the resolution submitted' by Mr Dealqn, and Sir; Joseph Ward, ill favour of ah Imperial ! Co.uncil of a. purely consultative and character. ■; .- : : Dr Jameson, Premier of Cape Colony, supporfed tlie proposal. '-: Sir; Wilfrid; Liiurier showed extreme caution.' '... . ;;■-; .-w '. ..-. ■' •..-.■;.; ' ; would be s 'better io leave well done alone. ,it 'wopld be, a mistake to create a. department which would rival-.the Colonial Office. '- ■'■■-'■ -i"->-The Earl of Elgin.aimpuriced his inteh- ; tier, to submit a A#olntion which he hopfed s would meet the difficulty.. ' . Mr Deakih urged- the esta'bHslbment of a consultative LmperialCouhT cil, consisting of the. Prime Ministers -, of Britain- and the. autonomous- colonies, .with-out-executive authority, assisted vby.v a secretariate, to bridge the intervals between the conferences;; He suggested that the Minister, not; the Colonial Of : fice, should be the medium through which the - autonomous " colonies should work in connection with matters affecting great Imperial and colonial interests. adduced arguments he had frequently advised i.n - Australia and; at Home. - Sir. Jr. G. Ward urged that the British and Colonial Prime Ministers, with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, should be -members pf the Council. . He sug- j gested that Crown, which were controlled by "the Colonial Office under the advice of the Government, should continue to; ,be called colonies, while the autonomous colonies should be termed States, or by some other name distinguishing them from, the "Crown 'colonies; : He urged that the . channel of conimuhicatioh with tlie Imperial Government should continue to be through - the Governors. THE QUESTION POSTPONED. \ : s < LONDON, April 18. \ Lord! Elgin urged that the Colonial Office had done, good work in the past, and was prepared td work for a policy of continuity. The British Government were, unable to agree to the creation of a separate body, with power of interference between the respective Governments. That was a dangerous course to pursue. The Premiers interjected :—"We, do not. suggest anything of the kind." Lord Elgin then submitted a long resolution which he hoped would secure acceptance and settle their, difficulties. A decision upon it is expected' to-morrow. Mr Botha implied that the present machinery of the Conference was not unsatisfactory. They might discuss improvements, then leave the matter over for future settlement. It 'was best to build slowlv. All the ; Colonial Premiers adopted Sir Wilfrid Lauriers suggestion of tlie title " Imperial Conference," in preference to. " Imperial Council" ; and recognised that there must, be unanimity respecting any alteration of tlie conference's constitution, or nothing would be done. Sir Wilfrid Laurier reserved his decision, though he implied that lie did not favour the creation of, a new Council as a permanent organisation, which he thought might develop tendencies which would not prompt the continuance of the present , happy relations between the Home and Colonial Governments. The term "Downing Street" was, he said, no longer used in Canada as a term of execration. Sir W. J. Lyne's attitude was reserved; apparently he "was somewhat u'nsympath'ei tic with "the Council scheme. Tlie question of Defence was deferred till Saturday when it is hoped that Mr Haldane, the British Minister for War, i will be present. ■* The "Daily Chronicle" declares that the ■ working expedient Mr Deakin asks for is to be found in givintj an element of continuity to the" 1 Imperial Conference.