AN IMPERIAL NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 122, 24 May 1909, Page 5

AN IMPERIAL NAVY.

BERESFORD'S SYSTEM. OVERSEA DOMINIONS' HELP. LOCAL NAVIES ADVOCATED. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, May 22. Lord Northcote (ex-Governor-General of Australia) presided at the Australian banquet held last evening at the Trocadero, 190 being present. Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, who was the guest of the evening, said the overseas dominions could best help, not by spending two millions on a battleship to serve in British waters, but by making efforts to defend themselves. The only way the dominions could be hurt, he proceeded, was by cutting the trade routes. Torpedo-boats and submarines in dominion watera would not avert that danger. It was most unlikely that a foreign cruiser would enter a harbour of one of the dominions to blow a town to pieces, but it would attack water-borne commerce. The investment of two millions in home defence and in cruisers which would protect trade routes would be a better investment than helping to defend Britain's shores. Commencing with cruisers the dominions might eventually have larger craft. They could have their fleets ready and equipped before the Rosyth base was finished. It Was essential that these fleets should be controlled and administered by the dominions, but in war they should join the Imperial fleets. In peace, let the dominions' cruisers join the Mediterranean fleet and vice-versa. Officers and men could be interchangeable. That would be an efficient method of making an Imperial navy. Then when any component j parts of the Empire were attacked, the I whole Empire could go as one great ser- I vice to its assistance. j Australia had got splendid men, 6ut training was essential. They could not learn their duties in a month or a year, or even two years. If things went on as they were now doing, it would be impossible to maintain the two-Power standard, but that could easily be kept if they had an Imperial navy. Jt was, he considered, absolutely necessary that eight battleships should be built this year, but these would be insufficient for the fleet they would have to form owing to the deferred obligations of the last four years, but there was no need for panic. Mr. T. A. Coghlan (Xew South Wales Agent-General) proposed "British-Aus-tralian Trade." and Mr. C. 11. Rason (West Australian Agent-General) proposed "Success to the Imperial Press Conference," Mr. ,T. O. Fairfax ("Sydney Mor.iing Herald") responding. THE BURDEN OF DEFENCE. COLONIES MUST SHARE. (Received 9 a.m.) OTTAWA, May 23. The Council of Canadian Manufacturers, sitting at Toronto, resolved that the self-governing States, in return for the Motherland's protection, should bear a share of the burden of Imperial defence. The Council, therefore, approved of the recent action of the Dominion Parliament. HOW MANY DREADNOUGHTS ? LOXDOX", May 22. Speaking at Lowestoft, Suffolk, Mr T. J. Macnamara, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, announced that by Easter. ]M 2. the British fleet would be so strengthened that Germany "could not approach us, and ours bping of the latest and most efficient types should add to the margin of superiority." Several newspapers report that owing to the revival of the Triple Alliance and Italy and Austria's Dreadnoughts, the Government is building eight Dreadnoughts during the present year, besides accelerating the production of guns and armour. Mr Asquith is to be questioned on the subject in the House of Commons on Tuesday. A FORMULA OF UNION. CONFERENCE MAY SUPPLY. NEW ZEALAND'S " SPLENDID AUDACITY." LONDON, May 22. Mr Alfred Lyttelton (Secretary of State for the colonies in the Balfour Government.) presided at a banquet given by the Colonial Institute last evening. Mr Lyttelton considered that the part Britain's oversea dominions would play in the next century would be largely dependent on the coming Defence Conference. He was in absolute accord with Canada and Australia in their desire to possess their own navies. Everything ought, he thought, to be done to foster the spirit of nationality in the colonies. Thus Britain would derive greater benefit than from merely contributory aid. He believed that this was the present Government's view, but it was necessary that these navies should have their place in the Imperial organisation, and time was required to form national defences and exercise them in readiness for war. The coming conference might supply a formula of union which at present was missing. When Australia and Canada arrived at their full stature they would take their natural places among the forces of the Empire as a whole, under comprehensive patriotism. In conclusion, he referred, amid cheers, to New Zealand's splendid audacity in offering a Dreadnought, and two if necessary. The speakers included Sir Gilbert Parker (Liberal M.P. for Gravesend) and several Agents-General and Anglo-colo-nials.