IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2496, 8 May 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. NOMINEES. United Press Association— Copyright May 6. Canada has nominated Sir Frederick Borden, Minister for the Militia, and Mr R. Boudrean, another member of the Cabinet, to attend the conference in London, in July, to discuss the defence of the Empire. THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE. LORD CREWE’S OPINION. (Received May 7, 10.55, p.m.) LONDON, May 7.

The Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies, at the Liberal Colonial Club, referring to the July Conference. said that he was not prepared to sav that the time was absolutely ripe for full and comp’ete discussion of the whole question of Imperial defence. It could hardly be expected that So jjtdi. Africa could speak with certainty on the subject until union was accomplished. On the other hand, there had lr< n so many incidents of importance---iho fine soul-stirring offers of New Zealand and Australian, and the not less ’’ any movements towards the improvement of Imperial defence in Canada —ent’niy justified endeavoring to arrive at some, at any rate, A provisional cr.nclu sinus, after talking tho matter over m a friendly way. (Received May 7, 11.45 p.m.)

The Earl of Crewe, continuing, said that his view was that the sooner they could approach towards a common organisation for defence the better for the Empire. Such things as an Imperial General Staff and a certain assimilation, he would not say identity, of organisation for the purposes of defence between tile systems of the Motherland and the dominions were all steps in the right direction, but local elasticity was not less -necessary. We could not do anything moro unwise than to attempt to impose on the great self-governing colonies, a scheme which was unpalatable to them. In a sense each dominion must work out its defence in its own way. He was glad to know that the Government’s action had the approval of both sides of politics because this was certainly a matter wherein they should all act as one. The statement was received with cheers. ,

The “Daily Chronicle,” referring to the -Conference, declares that the idea of federation in defence agrees with political conditions, and appea’s to sentiments common throughout the Empire.