New-York tribune., 1907-04-16
PREMIERS In SESSION.
CONFERENCE At LONDON.
Sir Henry Explains POaCers-Dr.
Jameson Wants United africa.

london. April 15.-The fourth conference be-
,v,een the premiers OF Great Britain's self gov
o-ning colonies and the British Colonial Secre-
,sry was opened this morning at the Colonial
,oe4ce under the presidency Of the Earl Of FL
a, Secretary OF State for the Colonies. All
.ha premiers including DIR. Jameson. OF Cape
colony: General Louis Botha, Premier of the
-ransvaaI; Alfred Deakin. the Australian
premier: Sir Joseph G. Ward, Premier Of New
Zealand; Frederick r. Moor. Premier OF Natal7
ana Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Premier Of Canada,
u,ere present Premier Sir Robert Bond Of
newfoundland Will arrive here in the middle Of
the week The prenliers were accompanied by
their advisers number of British Cabinet
ministers attended the morning session. Re-
porters are not admitted to the conference. and
,be public will have 10 be contented with GEN.
Fored official summaries Of each days proceed
,ngs until a Blue Book on the conference IS
issued months after its final adjournment
Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman the Premier.
opened the proceedings with a speech Of well
come in which he outlined the subjects for
discussion. such preferential trade between
che colonies and Great Britain and among the
colonies themselves. a plan for n permanent
council imperial defence schemes and emigra-
tion with minor questions like penny postage,
naturalization and patent laws. The Premier
earnestly expressed the hope that the delibera-
lions would have useful results.
Sir Henry said this was not only a conference
between the prenliers and the Colonial Secre-
tary. but between them and the members OF
fhe government. which was a very different
matter He hoped an agreement might be
reached on the points under discussion, but If
here were differences between the premiers and
The government they would agree TO differ in a
perfectly friendly manner. They had no power
Sir Henry explained. TO arrive at any binding
decisions for the imperial government could not
80 behind the declared opinions OF the country
and Parliament; but subject 10 this Limitation
there were many matters Of great moment in
which there was room for arrangements OF
mutual advantage.
Speaking for himself. his colleagues and the
British public. the Premier regretted that Joseph
Chamberlain was unable TO be present and take
an actsSs part in public affairs.
Sir %lfrid Laurier then made a brief reply.
He said he recognized the difficulties besetting
the prenliers. and that public opinion here might
not run in the same groove as in the colonies.
But we are all agreed he continued. ''on the
desirability Of the proper and permanent recog-
milton Of the principle that every community
knows what is best for itself"
Alfred Dealin spoke in a similar vein, but
advocated publicity for most OF the proceedings.
he said the greatest risk the conference could
that Of being ignored and misunder-
stood. and he regretted that previous confer
ences had failed 10 accomplish their full aims in
the antipodes.
DR.. Jameson made vigorous speech, in which
be said he hoped thar South Africa would be
consolidated and represented at the next con-
ference by one premier. He expected lasting
results from this conference leading to further
unity not merely from the sentimental point OF
view, but in the practical and material interest
o. the component parts OF the empire
i Other premiers having spoken, there was sent
70 ny Chamberlain a telegram OF sympathy and
expressing the hope that he would be speedily
restored 70 public life. After this the conferrees
discussed the procedure and then adjourned.
In regard 10 the decision not TO admit re-
porters 70 the daily sessions II Is said that the
colonial representatives were, as a rule, in favor
OF publicity. but the home government was op-
posed 10 H. and IL IS understood that Premier
LauI1er supported the home officials IN this
matter Meetings VIII be held three times a
week and they are expected TO last at least a
rnsk