AN INTERVIEW AT PERTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8953, 12 June 1907, Page 1

AN INTERVIEW AT PERTH.

THE IMPERIAL AND MARITIME CONFERENCES. PERTH, June 11. Interviewed this morning on his return from London, Sir Joseph Ward was asked to state his opinion, on the general results of both the Imperial Conference and the Maritime Conference. Ho stated that, in his opinion, both conferences had justified the calling together of representatives of the self-governing colonies. In respect of the Maritime Conference the results affected the Commonwealth more than New Zealand, for the reason that his country already had a , Shipping and Seamen Act upon the Statute, Book that provided for nearly all the matters that were dealt with by the Conference. Some points, however, of general application were dealt with, which were of x material interest to New Zealand. The protection of local shipowners, as well as officers and seamen, from unfair competition from abroad, together with the assimilation of various rules of practice, where it was possible to give effect to them, were most valuable. He intended to ask the Parliament of New Zealand to legislate in accordance with the resolutions carried at the conference in places where legislation was necessary. It would, in his opinion, have been agood thing had the Maritime Conference met ten years ago, for |hen representative men in England arid the colonies might have devised common grounds of action and so prevented many difficulties that had subsequently arisen. One great good resulting from the conference followed from the fact that the shipping interests of the Unit;ed Kingdom and the colonies were brought face to fa<,-e round a common table, where personal discussion and a frank interchange of opinion did po •much to clear and remove the misunderstandings that inevitably existed where everything was left to correspondence' and despatches. Sir Joseph Ward said that the success of the conference was in no small measure due to the tact and ability displayed by Mr Lloyd George. Where so many conflicting interests were concerned the risk of friction was great, and that this did not occur was due not only to the reasonable attitude of the delegates, but equally to the courtesy and judgment of the president. While naturally and properly alive* to his enormous responsibilities as the official head of the world-wide shipping trade of the United Kingdom, Mr Lloyd George showed an evident desire to' meet the views of the Commonwealth and New Zealand wherever he possibly could. In reference to the Imperial Conference, Sir Joseph said that the difficulties presenting themselves were in some respects very great indeed. It was the first real business conference of representative men from the oversea dominions that had taken place in England. Former conferences had done good work, but that work was of an. entirely preliminary character. Practical issues were first dealt with at this conference. He would have greatly liked to ■ have seen preferential trade agreed to by the British representatives. However, he could not shut his eyes to the position of the British Government, which was returned with a record majority, pledged among other things to the continuance of free trade. In "common with other members of tihe Conference, Sir Joseph pressed the point that preference was quite distinct from free trade, and could be given effect to without violating the principles of that doctrine. The British Government, however, was not prepared to accept this view,- hence the •most that could be said was that a good deal was done in the way of educating publio opinion upon that point. A most important step was taken in the establishing of the Conference as a permanent institution, with tibe Prime Minajgber of Great Britain as the standing president. The actual constitution of tthe Conference, its functions and the machinery for. doing its work were left to be settled at' a future meeting, and tlhis, in his opinion, was a very wise 6tep. Meantime the machinery would be worked by the Colonial Office. The discussion that took place in connection with the military and naval defences of the Empire, particularly in relation to the colonies, was of the greatest importance. In respect to naval defence, the views of the Commonwealth differed from those of New Zealand, and Sir Joseph "Ward naturally expressed no opinion as to the course pursued by the Commonwealth, as it wa6 a matter entirely for it to decide upon. New Zealand preferred to continue under the existing system, under which, the whole naval defence is conducted and controlled by the Admiralty, New Zealand contributing upon a money basis. He had explained at the conference that they had yet many years' development of their country to provide for, and the obligations this entailed were as much as the colony was justified in undertaking. He hoped,

however, that the course the .Commonwealth proposed to take would turn out to be one of great success to it. Sir Joseph further expressed satisfaction that his suggestions in favour of the cheapening of postal and cable rates and the quickening of mail communications, together with the establishment of commercial delegates representing the British Government in British colonies, had been adopted, and he hoped that practical results would follow. Sir Joseph, in reply to an inquiry as to the attitude of the British Government at the conference," expressed himself in high terms as to the courtesy and consideration extended to all the delegates by Lord Elgin, who meet capably presided. Asked as to his impressions of London, he said that the hospitality and kindness that he and his party received from all sections of the British people from the day of their arrival would never be forgotten by them. The pressure of work daily outside the conference itself had given him an exceedingly busy time, but he was returning to New Zealand with delightful remembrances of his visit. These were enhanced from the fact tuat a great link in the chain of Imperial brotherhood had been strengthened through the memorable conference of 1907.