IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2578, 12 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

PROPOSED AUSTRALIAN NAVAL COLLEGE. COLONEL FOXTON’S OPINION. - I United Fiiess Association —Copyright LONDON, August 10. Colonel Foxton, the Commonwealth representative at the Imperial Defence Conference, hopes to visit Osborne and Dartmouth naval cadet establishments, with the view of proposing similar establishments in Australia. He states that though the Commonwealth is iu possession of rights under the naval agreement of 1903 to send cadets to England, there are many difficulties, especially during the long vacation, in the case of youths without friends. Colonel Foxton considers that a Naval College within reach of all the States would attract youths into the service at an early age.

THE DREADNOUGHTS. NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN OFFERS.

(Received August 11, 8.55 p.m=)

LONDON, August 11

Conferences are proceeding daily --e----■tweeU the Admiralty officials and the delegates, the object being to coordinate the defence schemes propounded by each Dominion ; and sub-committees of each are working out technical details regarding ammunition, transport, and supplies with the Admiralty experts. With a patriotic object, everybody concerned observes silence as to the proposals under consideration, but Sir Joseph Ward’s declared opinion respecting Dreadnoughts shows that New Zealand will adhere to her offer in its entirety. The Commonwealth’s proposal embraces an optional offer, and cannot be so easily dealt with. It involves complex considerations, which may possibly require reference to the Commonwealth Government before a final settlement is reached.