IMPERIAL DEFENCE GONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2505, 19 May 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE GONFERENCE.

\EW ZEALAND'S REPRESENTATIVE. [Peh "PiiESS Association.] WELLINGTON, May 18. “It seemed as >if Sir Joseph M ard. must go. as the Home authorities wereso anxious that he should, he was the opinion of the Hon. •). A. .Millar (Minister of Railways), te.egraph-c-d from Grevmouth yesterday, and a New Zealand ••Times” reporter asked the Premier the question if his presence at the naval conference in Loudon had been finally settled. "The data of the Conference is not yet axed and until that is done, and I am. advised, replied Sir Joseph, “it is quite impossible for me to state whether I can go to London to represent New Zealand. It is a matter that can only receive proper consideration when one knows what is the actual date of the Conference. In anv case, with a full recognition of what my 'responsibilities are to the country, I could not think or going away during the currency or the first session of Par."lament so soon urtei a general election, nor cotnd anyoouy expect it. As' a matter ot ordinary fairness to the country such a course would be obviously unthinkable unless such arrangements were made by iarliament of which I approve. ' “Then PoT-iameiit would, be con ••Yes.” answered bir Joseph. ' 'When I am in a position to state the date or the conference I will then be able to consider the whole matter, and wo.ua not under any circumstances go without consulting Parliament and receivin ?ts authontv. I fully recognise thatthe Naval Conference in England is cno of tho verv greatest importance, an cio (n Jhiih all part* New Zealand of course included, **r: dc-eplv concerned. There is nnqu - tioiiablv in naval defence a new era preSing itself to the British Empire, ami a matter of such gigantic possibilities and far-reading potentialities canSlrS WriiSSr fad 1 “Wei Nh ?^o°k p h"rf"v 4 hut Is to,. tovV uikrd mo tho mav say that such is t he First of all, a W or a iortpurpose ot spendiii - fetumiug tonight at the l Vegtrded New Zeamnd can • c "* c ■ who knows with pleasure jp au > ‘1 - k ;, u ;. I anything of aJounu> requirements of am fully ahvo T that I ii->-d. but the no to go for to suggest that I an _ COnthe the Cci nie re nee could trary to put. November ithe held m Octobcir inuo i l more would, in m> suitah’o time- a tba t 1 should land, and that n p nT vve have like perspnallv to v - ial Governho how-