IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9915, 2 August 1910, Page 1

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

COMMENTS OF THE, "TIMES." United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.

* LONDON, August 1. .*' Commenting -_on the Blue Book and the New South Wales Premier's claim for separate representation at the Iniberial Conference, with- which claim • ffasmania and Queensland were asso- - biated, the "Times" endorses Lord. Elikin's dispatch of 1907, hut doubts 'Whether, a considerable body of Australian opinion supports the States' cliaim. The Canadian provinces and iduith. African colonies expressed a desires to remit Conference business to the' jTFiiMm Governments. It was greatly desirable that a similar recognition of •ssen-.tial unity should animate the Aus- ' tralftu States. The "Times" adds:— ,"It ig dear that the rearrangement »f .the'.Colonial Office has not evoked the don unions' enthusiasm. Mr Deaktn's of a secretariat must be reHiaoussedVin 1911. Probably the High SCommissidiers will be assigned a more 'definite pk ce in the transaction of lirasiness "between the Home Govern«n.ent and th,> dominions. While there % much cloud_v talk about further development of t omprehensive federative principles witbh,'. the Empire, the real trend seems tow irds making developjment an official than a parliaUnehtary origination. The dominions' -criticisms and suggestions appear to 'trend in tha.t directi *n." I The i<( Times " commends the works (of the British Trade Commissioners and (commercial correspond ants. The allowance of £IO,OOO is very inadequate for »uch a vital object.