IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2593, 30 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE CONFERENCE SCHEME

THE CANADIAN AND AUSTRALIAN FLEETS. •United Press Association—Copy right. LONDON, August 27. . Mr Asquith said, regarding Canada, it was proposed, according to the sum available, that a start be made with the Bristol type of cruisers and destroyers of an improved river class. Bart would be stationed along the Atlantic seaboard and part in the Pacific. In accordance with previous arrangements Canadas had undertaken to maintain dockyards at Halifax and Esquimalt, and it was part of the arrangement proposed with the Australian representatives that the Commonwealth eventually undertake the maintenance of a dockyard at Sydney. He hoped that all material and documents relating to the Conference would be laid before Parliament before the end of the session. (Cheers). BRITISH PRESS OPINIONS. A CHORUS OF CONGRATULATION. Britain contributes £250,000 annually to the Commonwealth fleet, and expects the Commonwealth to raise a naval loan requiring £500,000 annually for interest and sinking fund. If New Zealand floats a loan it will require £15,000 annually for interest and sinking fund, besides £IOO,OOO -as heretofore. The “Times” that public opinion will do justice to the wisdom, tact and foresight wherewith the Admiralty and War Office approached a difficult and complex task. The results of the Conference marked a definite advance in the organisation of the Empire’s defence. The “Times” welcomes particularly the proposal to create a Pacific : squadron. The projected arrangements, ..besides being suitable to present conditions, were capable of logical and systematic expansion in accordance with that ideal of free co-operation between kindred nations, owing allegiance to one Crown, which all the mental and moral strength of Imperial statesman-

ship would now be set to realise. Th© , proposals would mark the opening of a new period of Imperial history. The “Daily Mail,” Telegraph,” “Chronicle” and “Standard” have articles of an equally congratulatory nature. The “Pall Mall Gazette” heartily congratulates the Conference upon the splendid outcome of its labors. “The new scheme,” it states, “is a national and Imperial asset of immense value. With the programme the most despondent amongst us need not despair of the future of the British.” The “Daily News” doubts’the ability of scattered forces if the Empire was in peril, as the struggle would be primarily for command of the North Sea and the Channel. Fleets concentrated in the Pacific would he of no service in that task. “It is equally difficult to understand,” remarks the “Daily News,” “how small vessels located at some part of New Zealand can form part of the China squadron.” CONTRADICTORY OPINIONS OF GERMAN PRESS. “A SYMPTOM OF EXHAUSTION” AND “PARADING BRITAIN’S POWER.” (Received August 29, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, August 28. The newspaper “Berliner Tageblatt,” •commending Mr. Asquith’s defence statement, predicts that the debates in the overseas Parliaments regarding the Defence Conference proposals will be excited and lengthy, and that objections will be raised to the new programme. The newspaper denies that there is any cause for particular anxiety in Germany regarding the reorganisation of British Imperial, defences, and adds that Britain’s turning to her colonies for assistance is a symptom of exhaustion. Th© “Lokal Anzeiger” interprets Mr. Asquith’s reference to the approaching co-operation between the Dominions and the Motherland as an inten--tion to parade Britain’s - power before the eves of foreign countries. ' [The “Berliner Tageblatt” and the “Lokal-Anzeiger” are regarded as Liberal journals.] -'

MR, MASSEY’S VIEWS. •• FPee Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 29. Tito views of the Loader of the Opposition (Mr. Massey) in regard to tile agreement arrived at by the Derence Conference (as announced by Mr. Asquith) were stated to a “New Zealand Herald” representative. “The cablegram dealing with Mr. Asquith’s statement,” said Mr. Massey, “is so fragmentary that it is somewhat difficult to express any opinion thereon. _ I must ■ say, however, that, so far as it is possible to judge of what has been done, I am Somewhat disappointed. In the first place 1 understood that the whole question of the defence of the overseas dominions of the Empire would be dealt with. The- cablegram, however, is singularly silent in regard to the defences •of the ha'rbors, or even the proposed methods of the ordinary land defence of New Zealand. There is not a word, for instance,* about national training, ju regard to which so much interest is - taken in this country and in our Parliament. I hope that these matters have not been overlooked, because there are many' people, and I am one, who think that they , are of even more importance than the contribution of a battleship to the British navy. Apparently, from what Mr. Asquith says the idea ‘of the Dreadnought gift from New Zealand has been departed from, ■ and, instead, we are to provide a cruiser which will be .stationed in the China Seas. I hardly think this will satisfy the people of New Zealand, or that they will receive much benefit ■ therefrom, except from the general

CABLE NEWS.

strengthening of the Pacific the' navy, which is evidentlv/intended. If, when the offer was madfif to the Imperial Government, it huff been not an offer of a battleship licit of ah armoured •cruiser bo' ;be stationed in the Far East, would there liavo been such a chorus of approval? . My decided Opinion is that it would not have been so; and I have no doubt that Parliament will consider the matter very carefully before agreeing, to what is now proposed.” Mr. Massey • expressed regret that some arrangement had not been made by which New Zealand might be able to work with Australia in the matter of naval defence; and lie hoped that even yet something, might be done in that respect. .