IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2587, 23 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE NAVAL QUESTION.

CANADIAN NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. UNITED Pit KBS ArHOOIATION —COPTIUOUT. OTTAWA, Augus 20. The Winnipeg “Tribune” condemns the decision to_ impqse on Canada her own navy, instead of joining with the mother colonies in a contribution tews ids ' the improvement and maintenance of the Royal navy to the standard of the Empire’s necessities. The Montreal “Witness” expresses a fear that Canada’ and Australia’s rejoicing in the triumph of their independence of policy in regard to naval defence will weaken those elements in the dominions which make for Imperial unity, and will encourage and strengthen centrifugal forces. The Montreal “Press” and Quebec “Patrie” approve of the autonomous principle, which they understand underlies the Defence Conference’s work.

THE CANADIAN NAVY. BRITISH OFFICERS LENT TO ORGANISE. (Received August .22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 22. The Admiralty has lent Canada a number of officers to advise regarding the organisation of the Canadian navy. ' , ' "‘ V . i NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER—A REPORT CONTRADICTED. NEW ZEALAND WILL PROVIDE DREADNOUGHT—AS PACIFIC STATION FLAGSHIP. The so-called inspired statement circulated in London on August 19th '(that the ships given by New Zealand would be cruisers, instead of Dreadnoughts) is declared to be incorrect. Our correspondent states that New Zealand will provide a Dreadnought, as ■originally offered, and also continue the £IOO.OOO per annum: subsidy. The Dreadnought will be attached as the admiral’s ship for the China-Pacific station, making occasional fleet visits to New Zealand. The Home Government will build and pay for as part of the same command, two cruisers, three destroyers, and two submarines, with .headquarters at New Zealand.

THE COMMONWEALTH CONTRIBUTION. DETAILS OF THE UNIT. ; ' . ■ ■ ’ • ' l It is not correct to say that the 'Commonwealth contribution it limited to cruisers. Its unit will include provision for submarines, destroyers and, if also a battleship for Australian waters, Britain may give a partial subvention. These altered arrangements will virtually give three or four units o:r squadrons in Pacific waters. SPEECH OF ThTsECRETARY FOR WAR. NAVAL AND MILITARY FORCES TO BE ON A NEW FOOTING. Mr. Haldane, speaking at Liverpool, : S aid that the Defence Conference had -come to an agreement for an organisation destined to make the Empire one and indivisible for defence. He predicted that the agreement would play a great part in securing the peace of the world, and would put the naval ana military forces of the Crown on an entirely new footing.

LORD CHARLES ocRESFORD’S ACTION.

UAUDED BY THE “SPECTATOR.”

The “Spectator” says that the result of Lord Charles Beresford’s demand for a naval inquiry has proved of no small national advantage, and that Lord Chrles Beresford struck a real hlow in favor of naval efficiency. The House of Commons committee’s report has, the newspaper, says, given a mortal wound to Fisherism, that is, the nnchecked exercise of power by one Individual, who is particularly unsuited by his personal characteristics to exorcise such a monopoly. (COLONIAL NAVAL DEFENCE ACT. AN AMENDING BILL. Mr. McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, has introduced a Bill to amend the Colonial Naval Defence Act, bv empowering colonial Governments to provide that seamen raised under that Act may be bound to general service in the Royal navy in emergency.