“ A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3298, 17 August 1911, Page 5

“ A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.”

RESULT OF IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. NEW ZEALAND AND THE MOTHERLAND. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT .] (Received August 16, 10.20 p.m.) PERTH, August 16. Referring to the Imperial Conference in an interview with the “Ceylon Observer,” Sir Joseph Ward said that each Conference brought about a cotter understanding between the Old Country and the Dominions, and a better conception of the difficulties in the way of closer co-ordination or co-operation of the respective parts. The supreme question for individuals, as well as Parliaments and Governments, is to ensure the strength of Britain in such a way as to render it undesirable for any Empire competitor to try to wrest the position the British Empire possessed. “So far as New Zealand is concerned,” he proceeded, “the people believe that in the best interests oi the Empire we should regard ourselves as one. We • recognise that if during a war any combination of Powers got the better "of England they would get the better of New Zealand concurrently, and so the policy we adopt is to support the British Navy as far as we are able. We do not think New Zealand should start a local navy.”