IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2525, 11 June 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIA’S LOYALTY.

THE NAVAL SCARE

United Press Association—Copyright

LONDON, June 9

The “Times” states that Australia has tho honor of being the second Dominion to offer a Dreadnought, and the gratitude with which tho Government" lias accepted it is shared in full by the whole nation, as well as by the citizens of other overseas dominions. That feeling is increased by the proof of confidence in tho Admiralty, afforded by the. readiness to leavo the manner of how the gift is to he applied to tho judgment of the Imperial authorities. PERTH, June 10.

Sir Josiah Symon, who has returned from a visit to England, says that tho whole naval soar© has been worked up for party purposes by the Tory party and newspapers. No responsible person with whom he spoke doubted tho supremacy of the navy, nor is it doubted that its absolute supremacy is sential. MELBOURNE, Juno 10. Air Foxton, honorary Minister, has been selected to represent Australia at the Defence Conference. There will be no second representative. FURTHER DISCUSSION AT PRESS CONFERENCE. MESSRS BALFOUR AND HALDANE • IN AGREEAIENT. (Received June 10, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 10. Air. A. J. Balfour, presiding at- the Press Conference, mid that the fato of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, .and India would not be deckled in the Pacific or Indian Oceans, but in the Northern Hemisphere. Everybody who read the signs of (the times agreed with Lord Rosebery’s land Sir Edward Grey’s weighty words, and recognised the impossibility of looking at the subject of Imperial defence iwiiiiout anxiety—not panic. Mr. J. S. Brierley, managing d rector of the “Montreal Herald,” said that if danger threatened tho Empire Canada would be prepared to spend her last cent, and give her last r.'up of blood to prevent .a catastrophe. T 1 e results of the Conference would not be 'found in minute books, but in increased interest in Imperial maittors. Mr. Haldane, ' Alinister lor War, agreed with every word of Air. Balfour, and urged the colonies to crgan„se their forces in the interest of their own necessities, but to remember *ihe possible need of co-operation with the vrest of tho Empire. Like Air. Balfour, he felt the burden of the present time. Difficulties were arising which were not accidental, but because other nations ■were becoming more wealthy and powerful, but, still, he Believed that the Empire’s Pate .of progress -was greatm than that of any other race. Mr. G. Fenwick (“Otago Daily Times”) said that /the speeches of Ministers and ex-Ministers this week hud made the Conference historical. The editors had received much inspiration on many points. The sno it moons offer of New Zealand’s Dreid lought was not to he measured by its cost. It was a demonstration of pat.’mtic feeling which would help forward all the Empire. He disclaimed disapproving of the action of Canada and Australia, and their decision to provide their own defence, blit all must recognise how inadequate local provision must be. The safety of oversea Dominions lay in the maintenance of-a great Imperial Navy. Therefore, he urged the press to support it. Mr. E. S. Cunningham (editor of tho Melbourne “Argus”) said that ft was impossible to get Australians to rbalise that their first efforts must he wholly directed towards an Imperial Navy. They should be first .interested in their own defence, to think of a navy, if only a local navy, that would be a stepping-stone, to an Imperial Navy. He thought Australia ,had been treated indulgently in the past, and that was the secret of the wave of enthusiasm which resulted in tho recent offers of New Zealand and the Commonwealth. He was delighted that the new Government of the latter had adopted the peo-. plo’s washes. Australia was not ready to adopt universal training. It involved many problems, and he doubted the wisdom of attempting to force it at the present stage. Lord Roberts said that tho chief danger was that England had enjoyed so long the supremacy of tho seas and security on land that her people were apt to regard safety as a fixed coni dition. Ho believed that a. new era had commenced, which might require the whole Empire to justify its existence. Nothing but forethought and preparation could make us reliable for the great emergency.

COMPULSORY TRAINING

’SUPPORTED BY LORD ROBERTS

(Received June 10, 10.20 p.m.)

The Hon. Theodore Fink (director of the Melbourne “Herald”) moved a resolution in favor of compulsory military training. He: said that the Commonwealth’s latest offer was not intended to interfere with provision for local defence, which should be subordinate to Imperial needs. Ho believed ft, was Australia’s desire that the nation’s manhood should be trained, so that, if an emergency arose, it could be organised' into an efficient military unit. Mr. Mark Co-hen (editor of the Dunedin “Htar”) seconded the motion. He gaid that the colonies spent large sums on education. Surely it was rightful

CABLE NEWS.

to ask for seme return of that ex-

penditure for the purposes of defence. After tho words of warning from Lord Roberts and the statesmen before that Conference, it -would bo useless to take further notice of tho armchair critics who dreaded compulsion. Ho advised that Lord Roberts be sent as a “Missionary of Empire.” Several speakers' objected to the resolution as ouhskle tho object of tho meeting, and the resolution was withdrawn.

Air. Jas. 0. Fairfax (proprietor of the “Sydney Moaning Herald”) said that-, if the forces of the overseas Dominions undertook an important share in Imperial defence, some, steps would be required to givelthem a share in the guidanco of those forces. Further questions might arise respecting a share of decisions upon peace or war. Though lie himself -was not a militant ■Fedoratlonisit, ho thought that tho points lie touched ought not to he passed unheeded.

Lord Roberts said tliat if the resolution had boon pressed bo would Lave supported it, because tho voluntary system had utterly failed, and modern warfare required good training. AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE. VIEWS' OF COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTATIVE TO CONFERENCE. (Received June 10, 11.55 p.m.) AIELBOURNE, June 10. The Hon. J. G. F. Foxton, who will represent the Commonwealth at the Defence Conference in London, say» that he is in favor of a vigorous policy 6f naval and military defence for Australia. The naval side at present is first in importance. Every Australian aspires to see his country make a beginning of the construction of a local navy, and, in the fulness of time, Australia may boast of her navy, hut for 'many years she must be dependent bn the British navy. He would not reduco but rather increase the present •subsidy. These were, however, his personal views. He had yet to disousss •With his colleagues the policy to be placed before the Conference.