The herald., 1897-07-11
Is Unbagged by Colonial
Premiers
AN IMPERIAL Federation
VERY MUCH DESIRED, BUT NOT
LIKELY
English Expert Libes Talks Back on
the Sealing Question-British
Politics and People
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, July 10.-The Australian
premiers are gradually letting the cat
out of the bag in regard to the confer
ences they have had with the secretary
of state for the colonies, Mr.. Chamber
lain's, pet project for colonial repre-
sentation at Westminster. One who
was present at these conferences said to
a representative of the Associated Press:
when Joe embarked into this scheme as
the one great step toward imperial fed
Grafton, he was not aware, probably,
that English sentiment was by no means
ready for such a drastic change as to
permit colonials to sit in parliament.
Joe thought some sort of colonial coun-
Gil with high sounding title and oc-
casional distribution of favors and or
ders would satisfy the colonials and pre-
vent any tendencies to cut loose from
the mother country, which was the only
reason the scheme was attempted at
all. England is satisfied with her rela-
tions with the colonies, but she Is not
satisfied that such relations can stand
the strain when the colonies become OF
age and restive in their strength.
Laurier put our views straight to Cham
berlain when he said in the conference,
Canada is satisfied now with her rela-
tions with the motherland, but we are
rapidly approaching the parting of the
ways. When Canada has 100000 peo-
pie she will have attained her strength,
and unless she has then direct voice in
the government governing her, she
must seriously consider whether or not
che would be better off as an independ-
ent nation
"This is the same thought and con-
clusion reached by Australia. To put
US in the house of lords is a simple mega
tive and to put us in the house of COM
mons is impossible in the present temper
of England's people. To be shut up in
a room as an ornamental lot Of council
lors to whom nobody listens is what
we won't have at any price. You may
have noticed that Chamberlain.s scheme
was just touched in his speech on Thurs
day last at the banquet of the Cord
wainers company, at the Hotel Cecil, in
responding to toasts of "The British
Empire" when he referred to the desire
to witness the federation Of the British
empire, and the immediate reply of Sir
Wilfred Laurier that the colonies should
either draw more closely together in
the empire or should separate, adding
that when Canada has attained her
strength nothing else will satisfy her
but imperial representation.
zone thing, am sorry to say, also de
veloped out of the conference, and that
is that Australian federation seems ae
far off as ever. Every Australian pre-
mier thinks only of himself, and every
other colony but his is good for nothing,
in his opinion"
THE SEALING QUESTION
| MIR J. H. Leibes, the expert on sealing
of the American Commercial Company
has sent the Hon. John w. Foster, the
United States Sealing Commissioner. a
severe criticism of the report made to
the British government by Professor
Thompson. Mr.. Liebes says: Professor
Thompson is doing everything in his
power to assist in the destruction Of the
few seals still remaining on the seal is
lands. Had he been the paid attorney
for the Canadian sealers, he could dc
no more than he did in shading all the
material facts. His entire report is
written in favor Of the new firms, which
are now so largely engaged in the pela-
gic sealing business. He quotes from
American reports whenever it suits his
purpose and calls them correct, but con-
tradicts all former American statements
when not favorable to his views"
Referring to Professor Thompson's
statement that the 10000 male seals TAX
en- this year could have been taken as cas-
lily as 100000 could have been taken 20
Years ago, he points out that the entire
male catch on both seal islands for the
last seven years amounted to ITO, ,493,
while the total number of seals taken
was $4,000
Mr.. Liebes asserts that he can give
satisfactory proof that IS per cent Of the
u.