The Imperial Conference.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11741, 19 September 1902, Page 5

The Imperial Conference.

LIGHT SHED ON THE PROCEEDINGS. Press Association—Telegraph—Copyright. Received September 18, 4.48 p.m. SYDNEY, September 18. The London correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," writing on the work of the Imperial Conference, says: —

The most noticeable feature was defeat of the ultra-Imperialistic party and a slump in Seddonism. After a good deal of negotiation over the naval subsidy, Sir E. Barton and Mi* Seddon agreed to recommend a contribution of £240,000 a year, of -which the New Zealand -share is £40,000. Mr Seddon stipulated that one-third of the ships should always, be in New Zealand waters. Sir E. Barton protested against this, on the ground that Mr Seddon pledged his colony to one-sixtih of the cost and wanted one-third of the benefits. Sir E.. Barton brougno matters to a crisis by announcing that he was prepared to recommend the Australian Parliament to vote £200,000 for the exelusve right to the services of a slightly sanallier fleet, provided that in times of peace the ships were prohibited from using any other coal than English or Australian. This meant that New Zealand would have to make a special and separate arrangement for a small fleet of its own and would lose the benefit of the coal contracts of the Australian squadron. Mr Seddon was quick enough to* see this, ■and capitulated and accepted the original terms,, under which one warship and one craiser for drill purposes will be permanently stationed in New Zealand.

Mr Seddon obtained no support for his proposals to establish a fighting force for the service of the Empire, excepting some sympathy from the Cape and Natal. Sir W. Laurier and Sir E. Barton Were so pronounced in their opposition that the project was promptly abandoned.

An attempt to make Fiji the appanage of New Zealand also failed. Mr Chamberlain asked Mi" Seddon -would he, if it was found preferable, bring New Zealand under Australian control and support the transference of* that colony to the Commonwealth? Mr Seddon ridiculed the idea. "Then by what right," asked Mr Chamberlain, "do you propose to usurp the government of an independent State like Fiji, •which is gradually working out its destiny towards self-government?" Mr Seddon declined to discuss the queston, saying in effect : "I can see I have to face a hostile Conference. I will therefore not press the matter any further."

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