IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2594, 31 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE PROPOSED^AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

MR FISHER HAS MISGIVINGS ■United Press Association—copyright SYDNEY, August 30. The Minister of Defence, referring to the satisfactory results of the Defence ‘Conference, says: “The Government will have to begin at once to establish a naval college of first class quality. MELBOURNE, Aug. 30 Mr Fisher, ex-Federai Premier, and leader of the Labor party, regards the new navy agreement with serious mwgivings. It means, he states, no Australian navy, but an imp. ’oi"ad itv per ial squadron for. Australia. If t ■.news .a greater contribution by -he Comno.iwealth towards the creation of an Australian navy by the Motherland it is less to be condemned. If it means a .real Australian navy than the only mistake was that it was mixed vp with a loan policy. To build up a fleet or army on loan money would end in disaster and kill the- national pride of the people. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD’S OPINION.

CRUISERS BETTER THAN DREADNOUGHTS FOR THE COLONIES.

(Received August 30, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON; August 30 v Lord Charles Beresford, in a conversation reported in the “Montreal ■Witness,” states: ‘We want cruisers, and will have them. If the trade .route between Canada and Britain is not kept clear, disaster will follow. Armed tramps are what we fear. Dreadnoughts are only for going along with a large fleet.” He added: “Cruisers can pursue armed tramps and prevent the destruction of . commerce. Cruisers are much better for the colonies.” MINISTER OF DEFENCE REPLIES TO MR. MASSEY’S CRITICISMS. [Pee. Ptiess Association.l WELLINGTON, August 30. The Hon. G. Fo-wlds, Minister of Defence, replying to Mr. Massey’s criticsim of the decision of the Defence Conference, expressed amazement at such a criticism, coming from one who so frequently paraded patriotism. Imperialism was the open secret in connection with the .whole question. Mr. Massey had been out of touch with a good many of his principal followers, and he (Mr. Fowlds) ventured tq think. ; tliey must have had a cold shiver wßfen they read his latest pronouncement. What was the variation from the-original dffer.?—the change from a Dreadnought an Indomitable. Lord Beresford contended that an Indomitable was the superior fighting machine of the two. Certainly if a battleship were given by New Zealand it would not have anv direct mission in connection with the defence of our coasts and surrounding seas. The Indomitable was undoubtedly, the superior fighting machine. As to Mr. Massey s disappointment that nothing had been arranged about- the ordinary land defence °in New Zealand, it bad been asreed to unify the system of training, organisation, and transport under the Imperial staff. How much further did he want the arrangement to gor Did Mr Massey want to hand over control of the national training of the vouths of New Zealand to an authority outside the people of New Zealand i They had no such intention. lou will remember,” the speaker , c °^ ul r le w’ “'that Mr. Massey deplored the tolly of New Zealand in not joining the Australian Federation. His latest opinion shows that he is still prepared to make the Dominion an appanage of Australia. I think New Zealand recognises the far-seeing statesmanship which lett New Zealand to work out its own destiny in its own way.”