IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2509, 24 May 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

GABLE NEWS.

THE PART OF THE COLONIES.

SPEECH BY THE EX-SECRETARY FOR THE COLONIES. .

United Press Association— Copyright \ (Received May 23, 4.30 p.m.)

LONDON, May 22

At the Colonial Institute banquet, the Right Hon. Alfred Lyttelton presided. He said that be considered that the part which Britain’s overseas Dominions would play in the next century' was largely dependent on the coming Defence Conference. Ho* was in absolute accord with Canada and Australia in their desire, to possess their own navies. Everything ought to be done to foster the spirit of nationality in the colonies. Thus Britain would derive, greater benefit than from merely contributory aid. He believed that this was the present Government’s view, but it was necessary that these navies should have their. place in the Imperial organisation, and time was required to form a national defence and to exercise them in readiness for war. The coining Conference might supply formulae of union, which were at present missing. When Australia and Canada arrived at their full stature, they would fake their natural places among the forces of the Empire as a whole under a comprehensive patriotism. He referred, amid cheers, to New Zealand’s splendid audacity in offering Dreadnoughts.

The speakers at the banquet included Sir Gilbert Parker, the Agents-General, and various Anglo-Cplonials.

[The Right Hon. Alfred Lyttelton was Secretary of State for the Colonies in the Balfour Ministry.]

A MINISTER’S OPTIMISTIC FORECAST. RUMORED INCREASE IN BRITISH BUILDING. Speaking at Lowestoft, Mr. T. J. MacNamara (Secretary to the Local Government Board) announced that by Easter, 1912, klie British fleet would 'he so strengthened that Germany could /not approach us, and, ours being composed of vessels of the latest and most efficient types, should add t-o the margin of superiority.

Several newspapers report that owing to the revival of the Triple Alliance noughts, the British Government is ’building eight Dreadnoughts in the present financial year, besides accelerating the production of guns and armour. (Mr. Asquith will be questioned on the feubject.

LORD CHARLES BERESFORD’S

VIEWS

SUGGESTION FOR AN IMPERIAL

NAVY.

(Received May 23, 4.45 p.m.)

LONDON, May 22

Lord Northcotc presided at the Australian bancpiet in the Trocadero. One hundred and ninety guests were present. Lord Charles Beresford was the guest of the evening, and said that the Dominions’ best help to the Empire was not by spending two millions in a battleship to servo in British waters, hut by making efforts to defend themselves. The only way, he said, in which the Dominions can be hurt is by the cutting of trade routes. Torpedo boats and submarines in Dominion waters would not .avert that danger. It was most unlikely that a foreign cruiser would enter a Dominion harbor to blow a town to pieces, but it would attack water-borne commerce. The investment of two millions in home defence and in cruisers, which would protect trade routes, would he a better investment than helping in the defence of Britain’s shores. Commencing with cruisers, the Dominions might eventually have larger craft. They could have fleets ready equipped before the Ttosyth base was finished. It was essential that these fleets should he controlled and administered by the Dominions, but in war they should join the Imperial fleet. In peace let the Dominions’ cruisers join the Mediterranean fleet and, vice versa, officers and men could be interchangeable. That "would be an efficient method of making an Imperial navy. Then, when any component parts of the Empire were attacked, the whole Empire would go, as one great service, to its assistance. Australia ha-d got splendid men, hut training was essential. They could not learn their duties in a month, a year, or even two years. The speaker continued: “If things go on as they are now, it will he impossible to maintain the two-Pow'er standard, but that twill be easily kept if we have an Imperial navy.” He considered it absolutely necessary that eight battleships ■should be built this year, but these would he insufficient for the fleet we shall have to form, owing to the deterred obligations of the last four years, '•but there whs no need for panic. Air. T. A. Coghlan, Agent-General ■for New South Wales, proposed the itoast of “British and Australian /Trade,” and Air. C. H. Rason, AgentGeneral for West Australia, “Success to 'the Imperial Press Conference.” "Mr. J. S. Fairfax, of Sydney, replied,

CABLE NEWS.