IMPERIAL CONFERENCE RESULTS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13434, 22 July 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE RESULTS.

DIBCUS3ED IN THE COMMONS. Press Association—Telegraph.—Copyright. Eoccived July 22, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, July 21. In the course of a debate on the Colonial Office Estimates, the Eight Hon. Lewis Harcourfc, in reply to Sir Gilbert Parker, said the Imperial Conference had brought co-operation within the Empire nearer than anything previously attained. The Conference's resolution for a Royal Commission on Imperial trade would not prevent the Dominions passing any legislation t"hcy chose, but bound the Commission not to make recommendations in reference to the fiscal policy of any part of the Empire. \Y ithout absolutely committing himself, ho thought the terms of the resolution ought to be the terms of the reference, but if they found this permitted inquiry into the libcal policy of different parts of the Empire he would not hesitate to amend the reference. It was unfair to measure the Conference's accomplishments merely by a resolution referring to the unwilhngnes* of the Premiers to accept his proposal for a, standing committee. He remarked that it was an attempt to meet Now Zealand's resolution, and meet Sir Joseph Ward's and the Australian representative*' views, but failed to appeal to other members. The ultimate position was that the Premier? said: "Steady young man. You are going too fast." (Laughter.) Mr Harcourt said he had had to accept a position no British Ministor had ever been in before, namely, pressing on the Dominions a ~ greater amount of consultation than they wished, but they willlingly accepted the Conference's decision. The consultations on Imperial defence had been a great success, and would prove of great value. The Court of Appeal arrangements had given ample satisfaction to every Dominion. The debate was adjourned.