The Fiscal Problem

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume V, Issue 1346, 7 June 1905, Page 2

The Fiscal Problem

Colonial Conference

Debate in the House of Lords

Press Asiociatlon.—Copyright. London, June 6 As a result of the mooting of Liberal Commoners interested in the colonics, Mr Ha'dtne intends to ask Mr Balfour for an opportunity for discussing in Parliament tho desirability of making better provision for tho continuity and efficiency I of tho Colonial Conference. The mooting agreed that it was desirable in tho intervals between the oonfuronces to colleot mweriaU relating to tho genornl interest-* of tlm empire, and uko 10 arrange a more nysteimuio mid frequent consultation among the a'fttesmen responsible for tho conduct of tbo different parts I of the empire. Tho mooting resolved to consult Sir Frederick Mock. London, June 6. The Duke of Devonshire initiated a debate with the view of clearing away the confusion in rogard to tho Government's policy on tho fiscal relations between the Motherland and colonies. He stated that tho conference would bo unablo to moot automatically without tho Government summoning it, and nothing would be more ptejndioiul to Imperial unity than drawing the Colonial Conference into party affaire, contrary to the spirit, if not tho letter, of Mr Balfour's assurances.

Lord Lansdowne replied that Mr Lyttelton's communications with the colonies assumed that the resolution of 1902 would lead to the re-assembling of tho Colonial Conference, but no arrangements could b9 made roUtive to the subjects (or dißCuasion if tho conference met in 1906. Aftor tho election, and only then, should thsy invite the colonies and other parts of the ■ ompiro to attend i special confetence to discuss colonial preference, tfhose conclusions would be submitted' to tho country, and a second general election ,held. If the colonies specially desired a confer-

enco for any particular reason in 1906, the Government would certainly think twice beforo discouraging it, since the delegate would find useful and important work to, do. Whatever their conclusions, suoli a conferonce was entitled to the utmost respect, and it would be impossible to witbold the conclusions ftom the knowledge and consideration of the country, Nevertheless, thoro was all the difference in tho world between suoli a conferenco and a special conference summoned after the general elections, and arinod with a mandate derived from tho people, kn ordinary conferonce, in tho Govsrnment'fl opinion, as far as colonial proferenee was conoerned, would not be a perfect or completo conference with India unrepresented and neither the Imperial G ovornmont nor tho colonios would bo ablo to exhibit, the confidence they would possess if fortified by a mandate received at a general election. An ordinary or imperfect conference could not tako tho place of a special conferonce, nor could tho Government, on the strength of its conclusions, recommond to tho nation a policy involving fundamental alterations in the relations of the different purts of tho empiro to one another by June, 1906. The country was within measurable distance of a general election, and the Government was unlikely at such a time to ptess tho colonies to Bend representatives Home. Tho ■ colonies wero unlikely to c iro to do so whon the .Government's appoal to the country was put to the foro front of tlfe programuio, Tho first policy 1 was retaliation; the next, a policy calling a free and unfettered Colonial Confer- ' once, I Lord Rosebory said he hoped that the i conference would not be transformed into a oaucus tor use at tho general eloction, It would bo a great disaster if the colonics j felt, that they were bein? used as pawns iu the game o f party politics,