IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14457, 1 June 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

OVERSEAS DELEGATES. IN THE INNER CIRCLE. Press Association —By Tel. —Copyright. LONDON, May 30. The Prime Ministers attended further meetings of th© Defence Committee both in the morning and in the afternoon, Mr Asquitli presiding. Tho "Tillies" says that the Dominions' Ministers lecognise that tho admission to tho inner council of tho Emigre would bring a vastly increased responsibility. In connection with Mr Fisher's declaration tho 14 Times" adds that though the step is not to be retracted its good effects will be liable t-o lapse if tho machinery is not changed. Tho Colonial Office should bo strengthened by the creation of a Council with functions resembling those of the- Secretary of the State Council of the India Office. The overseas Governments should create a minister whose whole duty should be to keep informed on Imperial affairs.

The Hon. Frank Wilson, Premier of [ West Australia, who was interviewed by a Press representative, said- that Australians were ready and willing to do more both in promoting Imperial trade and participating in Imperial defenod.

Owing to the shortness of time at their disposal the overseas Prime Ministers will be unable to visit Belfast. MR FISHER IN REQUEST. OTTAWA, May 30. With a view to encouraging the growth of the Federal Labour Party, the' Canadian Labour Congress has decided to invite Mr Fisher, the Premier of Australia, to tour the Dominion and lecture in th© principal cities on the practical application of labour policies to politics. The Congress hopes to gain a larger parliamentary representation, jMR HALDANE DELIGHTED. Received 10.5 p.m., May 31st. LONDON, May 31. Mr Haldane, addressing the Loudon University Officers' Training Corps, said the Conference of tho Dominions and Home Ministers, and Army and Navy experts, had been a source of profound satisfaction. "Wo opened our minds to each other, and tookeach other into mutual confidence. We found that we had common purposes, common objects, and a common mind, and now have come to a common conclusion on problems which until cently were obscure. It is not difficult to believe that last week will turn out to be memorable in the Empire's history. One of th© great problems this generation had to solve was how to come to the aid of the more distant jjartsi of the Empire, • should they be in peril. It would be a tremendous burden to impose upon these islands to send an expeditionary force, but it might be solved if the rest of the nation was ready to take up the burden."

RESULT OF THE CONFERENCE. IN REGARD TO DEFENCE. The Conference with the * Defence Committe is concluded. 'Whatever other results tlie Conference achieve the deliberations on defence will stand out prominent for the success and the good understanding established.. After an -excellent exposition of Britain's foreign policy the Committee apparently mad© it clear that apart from anv assistance the overseas could render, Britain would, not deviate from her firm resolve to maintain by adequate defence the integrity of every part of the Empire single-handedly. The Conference resumes on Thursday when ifc discusses the Declaration of London. It is expected to adjourn on Friday until after "Whitsuntide-. The Conference cabled congratulations to South Afnca on the first anniversary of the political Union.

Received 10.40 p.m., May 31st. THE POSTAGE STAMP QUESTION. Mr Fisher and Sir Joseph. Ward' opposed uniform stamps, mainly on the ground that it would destroy the individuality of the Dominions and cornylicate postal accounts. THE INDIAN ARMY. Tlie "Times" Simla correspondentreports that the possibility of reducing the strength -of the native army is under discussion, but there is no thought o£ reducing tfce British garrison.