IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2545, 5 July 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

NAVAL WORKS VOTE AGREED TO. OFFER FROM THE WEST INDIES. United Piti;ss Association —Copyright LONDON, July 2. The House of Commons has agreed to the naval works vote. ST. VINCENT, July 2. The Legislative Council at St. Vincent has resolved to offer Britain 1 (per cent, of the local revenues towards an Imperial Navy, with unfettered condi-. tions. The Council regrets the smallness of the amount, but declares that the principle is a practical acknowledgment of the. gratitude St. Vincent owes to Britain. [St. Vincent is a small island with a population of about 52,000 people.] SPEcCH BY MR. ASQUITH. HE EMPHASISES THE NEED FOR SECURING COMMAND OF THE SEA. (Received July 4, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. Mr, Asquith, at a mass meeting at Southport, emphasised the need for securing the continuance of the command ■of the sea. He said that naval strength is as the essence of life to an Empire scattered about the globe. Its security was now exposed, not necessarily to deliberate hostility, but to the neutral development of other nations. During the last few months the. overseas Dominions had manifested a consciousness of common interest, and were not only prepared, but willing to share the difficulties and burdens of the Empire; hence, the coming Defence Conference to consider the relative responsibility of the great self-govern-ing communities. The Government anticipated the Conference would result in a common agreement.