WAR NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 213, 7 September 1900, Page 5

WAR NOTES.

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, July 28. IMPERIAL DEFENCE COMMITTEE'S

PROPOSALS

The report oi' the Imperial Federation Defence Commtitee for Ihe year 3899 - 1000 has been issued. After referring to the war in South Africa, the large forces employed, and the heavy expenditure j involved, the report says: "A strongexpectation has been aroused, both in i the United Kingdom and the colonies, that advantage will be taken by Her Majesty's Government of the favourable circumstances after the conclusion of the war to summon an Imperial Conference for the purposes suggested by Lord ftosebery, namely, that of putting- the Empire on a business footing. In order to facilitate this procedure, the committee has drawn up and lias forwarded to Her Majesty's Government suggestions for the organisation of the Empire as a basis for consideration by such a conference." The proposals of the committee may be summarised as follows: (a) The establishment of a permanent Imperial Council, to be composed of representatives of the United Kingdom and the self-governing colonies. (b) This Council to administer an Imperial Fund, to which contributions shall be voted for fixed periods by the Parliaments of the self-governing colonies for the defence of the Empire. (c) The. maintenance by that fund of the Royal Navy and of a general service army, to be drawn from all parts oJ! "the Empire. The committee will use every effort to bring about such a conference in the near future, and to secure the discussion of these proposals, for which the serious consideration of Her Majesty's Government has been promised by Lord Salisbury.