1470 IMPERIAL UNITY [PART vIIX
render more formal the political ties between the United
Kingdom and the Colonies. The majority of the Premiers
were not yet prepared to adopt this position, but there was
a strong feeling amongst some of them that with the rapid
growth of population in the Colonies the present relations
could not continue indefinitely, and that some means would
have to be devised for giving the Colonies a voice in the con-
trol and direction of those questions of Imperial interest in
which they were concerned equally with the Mother Country.
It was recognized at the same time that such a share in
the direction of Imperial policy would involve a proportionate
contribution in aid of Imperial expenditure, for which at
present, at any rate, the Colonies generally were not prepared.
The question of the Treaty of 1894 with Japan was brought
before the Conference, but, with the exception of Queensland,
Newfoundland, and Natal, the Premiers declared that they
were not prepared to abandon their former attitude with
regard to the treaty, to which they did not desire to adhere.!
They also, with the exception of the Premier of Newfound-
land, stated that they did not wish the Colonies they repre-
sented to become parties to the convention in regard to
trade with Tunis then being negotiated with France.
On the question of the legislative measures which had
been passed by various Colonies for the exclusion of coloured
immigrants a full exchange of views took place, and though
no definite agreement was reached at the meeting, as the
Premiers desired to consult their colleagues and Parliaments
on the subject, it was announced that Her Majesty’s Govern-
ment had every expectation that the natural desire of the
Colonies to protect themselves against an overwhelming
influx of Asiatics could be attained without placing a stigma,
upon any of Her Majesty's subjects on the sole ground of
race and colour.
With regard to postal communications within the Empire,
it appeared that in the present financial circumstances of
* Canada adhered under a special protocol in 1906 (Parl. Pap., Cd. 3157),
and the adherence of Queensland arranged in 1897 was denounced for the
Commonwealth Government in 1908 ; above, p. 1084.
