IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13288, 17 May 1907, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

LONDON PRESS'"COMMENT.

Copyright—May 16th, 7.5S a.m. li LONDON, May 15. The '" Times"' says whatever is the future historians* verdict on particular issues, its general purport will be to dwell on the Conference of 1907 as a remarkable illustration of the powerful influence of such gatherings on the formation of public opinion, and insist on the moral etf.cts of the Conference, which has now become an institution destined, like other British institutions, to grow. The all-British route via- Canada and Australasia is a subject demanding expert examination, but the plan ought not to be adopted or rejected on considerations of profit and loss. In certain* contingencies the route might Ik- of strategic importance. Few things contribute more powerfully and directly to the consolidating of national sentiment than easy and constant communication.

The "Standard " says that everything else, pales beside the Government's wooden unimaginative determination to take no step which would conceivably promote the commercial federation of the Empire, but the leaven is working and the colonies' attitude has made a profound impression on the. Motherland.

The "Daily Telegraph" says that Mr avus the central figure at the Conference. He returns to tell his own people that though he did not secure all desired for them, he accomplished much, perhaps more than he expected when he sailed. In reference to the fast mail service,' the "Morning Post" finds that the words of the resolution " within reasonable cost." offers a loop hole for Ministerial escape from practical action. The "Post" contrasts Sir Joseph Ward's enlightened energv and farsightedness in advocating shipping subsidies as a. potent means of Imperial consolidation with Mr Lloyd George's emphasizing difficulties without expressing any enthusiastic desire to overcome them. The "Chronicle" says that the. -principle of an "all red" route has been accepted meanwhile. In regard to the general work of the- Conference, it says that if Lord Elgin constitutes the secretariat and strongly sets it to work promptlv. he will increase the success of the Conference, from a business standpoint. The "Daily Mail" says that the Conference is a* memorable one in practical concern and achievement. It has given a definite and regular practice m the working of the Empire, and created a secretariat which ought to help the Motherland equally with the Colonies in the matter of information. The "News" savs it is glad Mr Lloyd George was careful not to commit himself regarding Us fast ma.il service. It adds, "subsidies and bounties are not to be had as protective tariffs .but they are unsound and discriminate unfairly between different firms and different industries. Why should the taxpayer subsidise one firm rather than another, and one industry rather than another?" NEWFOUNDLAIN D. LONDON, May 15. The Karl of Elgin informed Sir RBond that the Government was unable to assist Newfoundland. It is reported that Sir R. Bond angrily retorted that the British Government was neglecting Newfoundland for the sake of American industries. This was a gross humiliation to the colony, which was not powerful enough to give effect to its resentment. The Premiers sympathise with Sir 11. Bond.

AN EMPHATIC CONTRADICTION.

Copvright Mav 1 itli. 1 a.m. LONDON. May 16.

Mr C'hureliill. in reply to Mr Lehniann. emphatically contradicted the newspaper report that" Sir P. Bond was complaining of the gross humiliation inflicted on him and the colony he represented, and had quitted (lie Conference in indignation.