The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-05-13
MINISTER'S LEAVE
FOR OLD COUNTRY
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Given En-
thusiastic Send OFF at the
Capital

OtIdWa, MAY lS.-Slr Wll1feQ Idur-
Ter, Sir Frederick Borden and Hon. L.
p. Brodeur, Canada's representative
the imperial conference, left Ottawa
this afternoon to sail on the Virginian
for Liverpool tomorrow. Accompany
ing the ministerial party were Lady
Borden and Miss Borden, Madame
Brodeur, j. G. Desbarats, deputy min
lister Of naval affairs. Sir Wilfrid's
nephew, Robert Laurier, and the min
isters' secretaries. Sir Wilfrid will
go through by train tonight to Quebec
where he will board the Virginian to-
morrow afternoon. The other men,
bers Of the party will take the steam
er at Montreal.
At the depot Sir Wilfrid was given
a royal send-off by his colleagues in
the government, large number of the
members Of parliament and many of
the premier's host Of personal friends
in the capital. He left in splendid
health and spirits despite the constant
and heavy strain of a long session of
parliament. Indeed in point Of buoy
ancy Of spirits and physical endurance
the premier is still one of the young
est members Of his cabinet and is ap-
parently good for many years of ar
duous public service yet. First in rank
among the overseas premiers at the
conference, he is also first in point
of his experience OF preceding similar
councils Of the empire. This is his
fourth conference, and he is the only
surviving member Of the conference
of 1897.
While the Canadian ministers will
take part in the discussion Of all the
subjects on the agenda for the con-
ference. which will open on May %,
they will take the initiative in making
proposals with regard to only two or
three subjects. Canada is anxious to
secure the speedy realization of the
ALFRED route scheme and with Pre-
mier Ward, Of New Zealand. Sir Will
Australian governments the desir-
ability of taking another step by COM
ing to some definite agreement look
ing to the inauguration of a subsi-
died service between Great Britain
and Canada on the Atlantic and be-
tween Canada and Australia and New
Zealand on the Pacific.
Sir Wilfrid will aso urge the adop-
tion of q uniform naturalization law
whereby naturalization papers secur-
ed in any one part of the empire will
be recognized as constituting British
citizenship in any other part of the
kings dominions.
Another question that will be
brought up by the Canadian repre-
sentatives will be with regard to the
status Of foreign consul-general in
the overseas capitals. At present no
official status can be given any of the |
representatives of foreign powers at
Ottawa and all diplomatic negotia-
tions must be officially conducted
through the medium of the imperial |
home and foreign Office The red tape
thus involved sometimes results in !
vexatious delays, although in practice |
Ganada's interests as a self-governing |
dominion have never suffered of late |
years. AS q matter of fact, diplo-
matte negotiations affecting trade |
matters have of late been carried on
by the Canadian government |
with various countries through the |
medium Of their consuls-general here. |
1t is now proposed to give them an
official status in keeping with the dig
nifty of their representative position |
and to officially recognize them as
mi-diplomatic agents for direct !
communication with their respective
in matters affecting purely |
interests. Where imperial
interests are concerned there will. Of
course. be the usual reference Of ne
gotiations to the colonial Office.
Naval and Military Matters
Sir Frederick Borden and Hon. Mr.. |
Erodeur will take up with the war
office and the admiralty various ques-
tions of detail with regard to the |
out of the imperial defence
scheme in military and naval mat
ters.
During the coronation ceremonials |
Sir Wilfrid will be the personal guest |
Of His Majesty King George. Sir
Wilfrid and his colleagues expect to
return to Ottawa the third, week in
July. Meanwhile Sir Richard Cart
wright will be acting premier.