CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6126, 12 March 1898, Page 5

CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS.

United Preßß Association— By Eleotrio TelegraphCopyright. Beceived March 12, 10.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 12. The Premiers' Conference declined to take joint action with regard to Antarctic exploration. It was resolved that the colonies which have not already done so should pass an Aliens Bill on the Unes of the Natal Act ; Queensland did not join in this resolution. It was resolved that any Federal tariff should give preference to the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom ; in default of an early federal tariff, the Premiers to recommend the various Cabinets to alter the tariffs to give such preference. It was resolved that if Great Britain and Canada contribute a third each of the cost, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania will favourably consider the proposal for a Pacific cable. Mr Kingston and Sir J. Forrest declined to join in this resolution, preferring the Cape route. The principle of federal quarantine was agreed to. Sir E. C. N. Braddon undertook to try to secure the co-operation of New* Zealand. It is understood that Auckland will be the quarantine station for New Zealand, and Hobart for Australia. The conference decided not to participate in the Mississippi exhibition, and decided against a joint display of colonial resources in London. The Conference was unable to advise any postal reduction to Great Britain, It was resolved that all the colonies except South Australia should agree for the present not to give notice of the termination of the existing arrangements in connection with the . auxiliary squadron. Mr Kingston preferred another scheme, and held himself at liberty to give notice of it at % hny time. It was resolved that if within three months Victoria does not elect to establish a cordite factory, New South Wales may hold itself at liberty to establish one, the colonies to favourably consider taking their supplies from the colonial factory.. The Conference decided, against a joint Australasian Court at the Paris Exhibition. It was resolved that, as France had recently imposed restrictions on the sale of arms and ammunition to the natives of New Caledonia, representations should be made requesting France to do similarly in the New Hebrides, and that, if such action is not taken within a reasonable period, Great Britain should remove the restrictions on British subjects. It was resolved that the colonies possessing mints should make application to coin silver on conditions similar to the coinage in Great Britain, The Conference is now closed.