PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9387, 14 March 1898, Page 2

PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

(By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) (Per United Press Association.) (Received March 14 at 9.40 a.m.) Melbourne, March 14. The Promiors' Conference declined to take joint action re the Antarctic expedition ; resolved that the colonies which have not already done so pass an Aliens Bill on the lines of the Natal Act.Queensland did not join in this rosolution ; rosolved that any federal tariff should givo preference to the produce and manufactures of tho United Kingdom ; in default of an early federal tariff, tho Premiers to recommend the various Cabinets to alter tariffs to givo such preference ; resolved, that if Gieat Butain and Canada contribute a third each of the cost, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania will favorably consider the proposal for a Pacific cable, Mr Kingston and Sir John Forrest declined tojoin in this resolution, preferring tho Cape route. The principle of fedeial quarantine was agreed to. Sir E. Braddon undoitook to try to secure the co-operation of New Zealand ; it is understood that Auckland will bo the quarantine station for New Zealand and Hobart for Australia. The Confeience decided not to participate in the Mississippi Exhibition and declined against a joint display of colonial resources in London, It was unable to advise any postal reduction to Britain, resolved that all tho colonies except South Australia agree for the present not to give notice of of the termination of existing arrangements in connection with the auxiliary squadron. Premier Kingston preferred another scheme, and held himself at liberty to give notice of it any time ; resolved, if within three months Victoria does not elect to establish a cordite factory, New South Wales may hold itsolf at liberty to establish one, the colonies to favorably consider taking their supplies from the colonial factory ; decided against a joint Australasian Court at the Paris Exhibition ; resolved, as France recently imposed restrictions on the sale of arms and ammunition to the natives in New Caledonia, representation be made requesting France to do similarly to the New Hebrides ; if such action is not taken a reasonable period should be allowed Britain to remove the restrictions on British subjects ; resolved that colonies possessing mints should make application to coin silver on condition of a similar coinage to that ot Britain. The Conference is now closed.