PRESS CRITICISM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7818, 10 June 1909, Page 4

PRESS CRITICISM.

Sir Edward Grey discussed the functions of Press criticism, and held that it should not be partisan. Newspapers, m war time, should show patriotism by their silence upon many things they knew. Lord Cromer urged a stricter control of the vernacular Press m India and Egypt. Mr Ward, editor of the Sydney Daily Telegraph, made a notable speech. The other speakers were Mr Alfred Lyttelton, Mr Stephen Gwynne, Messrs Maitland, Park, Amery, and Bauergee.

LONDON, June 9. Mr McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, presiding at a sitting of the Press 'Conference to consider the Press and the Navy, said the difficulties of defence were growing, and might require the whole Empire's strength. "So long as we keep the highways open the difficulties of mutual defence will be lessened. Naval defence m the Imperial aspect covers the globe. We have no less responsibility m one part of the Empire than m another. In the development of naval defence ideas should come from the dominions. England cannot force strategic ideas upon the dominions. If any ask for the Admiralty's views there will be a ready .answer, but the dominions will have their own views and methods. Lessons taught by others will not have the same effect) as if they have been learnt by the people themselves." The main problem | of defence was the same for all—maintenance of supremacy of all the sea. He urged that the Navy be kept above party, and hoped, when the time came, the Press would sacrifice professional interest regarding secrets necessary m warfare. Sir Edward Grey opened with the following description of the country's foreign policy: "To keep what we have; to consolidate it and develop it; to quarrel as little as possible with people; to uphold m the world's councils and diplomacy the ideals that England values." Among the characteristics of the Empire was a sense of justice. This was dominated by a hatred of pretences, and a frank recognition that all settlements must be m the nature of a compromise. He deprecated the idea of the Home Government being too prone to make compromises where the colonies' interests were affected. Compromise was essential to every great Empire. If they exacted their extreme need m every case the British Empire would become impossible. Nevertheless, they must keep what they had, but be moderate m enforcing their claims, or there would not be fair room for others m the world. ' Referring, by way of emphasis, to the serious tone of Lord Rosebery's mention' of armaments, ,Sir Edward Grey remarked: "I endorse every word Lord Rosebery said on Saturday." Sir Edward Grey added: "We are m comparatively calm weather, but the excessive expenditure on armaments makes the weather sultry. The seriousness of the question cannot be overrated. We have too much at stake to permit the Navy to fall behind, whatever the burden. You have shown how great are our resources. We are all travelling towards the ideal of a union of allies." He umed that it be their . endeavour to uphold the great qualities of the national character, and labour to make the Government honest and the Empire honourable. Mr F. W. Ward, Sydney, said it was a flash of genius which inspired the idea of this Conference. It was destined to have a beneficial influence throughout the Empire. No question was so important to the Empire as that of naval defence. The history of Australia showed the value of Britain's command of the sea. Doubtless the geographical position had something to do' with Australia's security during the past hundred years, but the advances of modern science, annihilating distance, had brought Australia distinctly within the danger zone. Australia with a small population was a great empty continent which would be a whole empire to some nations and offered a terrible temptation, and when there was danger on the seas Australians would be right m it. It was a matter of life and death, not a question of some possible raid on"' Australian shores, but keeping open trade routes. Take these away and destroy British supremacy on the seas and what would it advantage Australia to shear her sheep or guard her gold? Referring to the debate m the House of Commons m March, he said that Mr McKenna's and Mr Asquith's speeches fell like fire on tinder and added enormously to the realisation of the position wherein Australia stood.' The offer of a Dreadnought was the natural sequel. Mr McKonna had to-day stated that the Admiralty was ready with an answer, and would give it if asked, regarding the best policy of common defence of the Empire. He trusted that the Australian representatives at the July conference would ask it, (Applause.) ' What would be the use of Australia providing cruisers if the Imperial Government must go on protecting New Zealand, which was still further away, and Fiji, which was m the neighbourhood of French and German possessions? It was the duty of every one of the outlying portions of the Empire to assist m maintaining supremacy on the seas. He agreed, with Mr Hugh Graham's incidental remark on Saturdn*-' that' the Imperial' Government had been a little £00 indulgent to the colonies m this matter. Mr Ward added: "We are quite willing to take tjie"opinion of the Motherland's responsible naval authorities regarding what is the best policy, for we want the best and will do our fair share m carrying it out." (Cheers.) Lord Cromer, m a short speech, said that he was convinced of the unwisdom of encouraging vernacular Pressmen to undertake political martyrdom, remembering that their sufferings were not acute. He hoped some Indian delegates would tell the Conference whether there was any connection between the wild writings of certain vernacular newspapers and the commission of outrages which shocked the moral sense of the country! Referring to the necessity of'editors firmly handling difficult situations, Ke said that, though lie did not pretend to agree with all the views of the late Mr David Syme, he could not withhold admiration for his coinage}.'' 1" "*•■'■ "■ ■■■•-/■ Sir G. D. Banergee said he had no hesitation m saying that the vernacular! Press m India had np sympathy wit}i outrage's. He believec] that under Lord Moray's'rule India would experience a great improvement. The Hon. Alfred'" Lyttelton said that he was delighted to hear Sir Edward Grey endorse Lord Rosebexy.'s utter.; ance, He puggesteij colonial contribu-: tions, not an annual grant, but money to build a ship and make a nucleus for effort and aspirations m the future, ending ultimately m the ship being manned by citizens of the donor colony and named after the latter, her officers having facilities for rising to highest posts m the Navy.