Sir Joseph Ward, the Premier of New Zealand, who has
arrived in England to attend the Colonial Conference, has expressed his views in a very frank and satisfactory manner on the relations of the Mother-country and the Colonies. In a conversation with a Reuter's representative, Sir Joseph Ward stated that the two questions in which New Zealand was specially interested were the strengthening of the Navy and the establishment of an Imperial Council. By the creation of such a Council they believed that trade relation- ships would be considered from the standpoint of the necessities of the old as well as the requirements of the new countries. Without entering into the New Hebrides question, be stated his opinion that the Colonies had a right in all matters where their interests were concerned to be heard before a decision was reached. Once given a hearing, they had sufficient confidence in all parties at home to feel sure that the decision would not be arrived at without careful and impartial consideration. In regard to Japan's position in the Pacific and the importation of coloured races into the Colonies, he preferred to leave the matter until the Confer- ence met. But he recognised that recent developments bad a very material bearing on the requirements of England herself, and that her position had to be considered as well as that of the Colonies.
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