THE SISTER SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 137, 10 June 1909, Page 5

THE SISTER SERVICES.

CONFERENCE AND THE FORCES.

NOTEWORTHY DISCUSSIONS.

WEATHER CALM, BUT SULTRY

(Bjr Ctble.—Press Association.—Copyrlgot.l

(Received 8.40 a.m.)

LONDON, June 9

Following upon yesterday's discussion, on "The Press and Imperial Defence—the Navy," the Press Conference to-day took up the sister service, and discussed "The Press and Imperial Defence—the Army." Mr. A. J. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, who presided, delivered a remarkable speech, in the course of which he endorsed Earl Rosebery's views, delivered in his speech at the opening of the Conference, adding that if an Armageddon occurred it would not T» In remote parta of the Empire, but in European waters. Mr. R. B. Haldane, Minister for War, agreed with Mr. Balfour and Earl Rosebery, and advocated his scheme for a general staff in touch with all the oversea Dominions.

The speakers included Messrs. Geo. Fenwicfc ("Otago Daily Times"), E. S. Cuningham (editor of the "Melbourne Argue"), and Lord Roberts Mr. T. Fink (editor of the "Melbourne Herald") proposed a resolution urging the advocacy of universal training. Mr. Mark Cohen (editor of the "DunetUn Star") seconded, and, in doing so urged that Lord Koberts be sent as a missionary throughout the Empire in furtherance of his campaign in support Ot the universal training movement _ The Conference disapproved of adopting any resolution, and the motion wa* therefore withdrawn.

COLONIAL NATIONALISM. Mr J. W. Kirwan, Westralia, responding for the guests at the luncheon tendered the delegates by the House of Commons, emphasised the steady strengthening of the spirit of colonial nationalism namely, the spirit of pride of being an Australian, a Canadian or a New Zealander; yet a change was coming over the dominions and the Empire. They were surely tending towards a spirit of closer alliance, and the Empire would in future be grander and greater than in the past, inasmuch as it would consist of a great family of new nations, whinh would be a strength and a pride to the Motherland. A ROUND OF ENTERTAINMENTS. Several Cabinet Ministers and the editors of all the London newspapers were present at Mr Lloyd George's breakfast to the Conference. The weather was delightful during the entertainment organised by Lord Northclifle (Sir Alfred Harmeworth) at Sutton Place, Guildford. No speeches were made. The 230 guests included Lord Roberts, Lord Esher, and Lord Hugh Cecil.

In the evening Sir Richard Beachcroft j (chairman of the London County Council) held a reception in the Graf ton Galleries, at which there were a thousand gueste, including the Lord Mayor of London, the mayors of the surrounding boroughs and municipal officials. MANLY SPEECHES. The London "Daily Chronicle" says that the endorsement of Lord Rosebery's warnings had made a deep impression on the audience at yesterdays discussion on the Press and the Navy. The speech of Mr F. W. Ward, editor of the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," showed that the Conference was of opinion that those who sheltered themselves behind the flag ought to take their share in the maintenance of the fleet.

The "Daily Express" says that the manly speeches of Sir Edward Grey, Mr Alfred Lyttelton and Mr Ward would make far more for peace than the itinerant junketings of Labour leaders in Germany.

The genera] opinion is that such discussions as that of yesterday are the best possible preparation for the confidential official debates next month. The opportunity afforded the visitors of meeting and hearing Britain's leaders and puGllc men is considered to be the best result of the visit. THE WORLH-WIDE WATT. Mr Reginald McKenna (First Lord of the Admiralty), who presided over the discussion on tjxe Press and the Navy yesterday, after urging that the Navy be placed above party, said:

"Difficulties are growing, and we may require the whole of the Empire's strength. As long as we can keep the highways open the difflimlties of mutual defence are lessened. Naval defence, in its Imperial aspect, covers the globe. We have no less responsibility in one part of the Empire than in another. Any development of the naval idea should come from the dominions.

"England cannot force strategic ideas upon the dominions. If any of the dominions asked the Admiralty's views, there would be a ready n newer; but th« dominions would have their own viewj and methods, and lessons taught by others would not have the same effect as if they had been learnt by themselves. The main problem of defence is the same for all. The maintenance of supremacy of the sea means the maintenance of supremacy of all the eeas.

"I would urge that the Navy be always placed above party, and I hope w.hen the time comes the Press will sacrifice professional interests regarding any secrets necessary in warfare." MAXIMS OF FOREIGN POUCY. Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary) opened with the following description of the country's foreign policy:— Keep what we have; consolidate anfi develop it. Quarrel as little as possible with people. Uphold, in the world's councils and diplomacy, the ideals that Epgland values. Among the characteristics of the Empire, he went on, was a sense of justice. This was dominated by a hatred of pretence and a frank recognition that all settlements must be in the nature of a compromise. Continuing, Sir Edward deprecated th« idea of the Home Government being prone to make compromises where the interests of the coloniee were affected. Compromises were essential in every great Empire. Nevertheless, they must keep what they had, but be moderate "in enforcing other claims, or there would be no fair room for others in the world. XAVY SHAIX NOT FALX. BEHUfD. Referring, by way of emphasis, in a snrteni tone, to Lord Roerbory's mention e< annamanto. Sir Edward Grey remark«A| **l endawe ever* w<! I**4 Berbery Mid in hit (Beach on tatni&W night

"We are having comparatively calm weather, but excessive expenditure on armaments tends to n*ke the weather sultry.

"The seriousness of the question cannot be overrated. Wβ h are too much at stake to permit the navy p fall behind, whatever the burden. Su have shown how great are our resource. We are all travelling towards the i(ea of union and allies. It will be our endeavour to uphold the great qualities o: national character, and labour to make the government honest and the Empire lonourable." Mr. F. W. Ward (ditor of the "Sydney Daily Telegraph") sfid it was a flash of genius which had hspired the idea of this Conference, whsh was destined to have a beneficial infhence throughout the Empire. There was.no question so important to the Empio as that of naval defence. WITHIN THE I ANGER ZONE. The history of Australia showed the value of Britain* ctmmand of the sea. Doubtless its geographical position had i something to do with Australia's security during the past 100 years, but the advances made by modsrn science in anni- ! hilating distances had brought Australia i distinctly within th« danger zone. Australia, with a smali population, was a I 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 Australia would be right in i<. It waj a matter ,of life or death, not a question of somo j possible raid on Australian shores, but the keeping open of trade routes. Take these away, and destroy British supremacy of the seas, md what advantage would there be to Australia to shear her sheep and guard her gold? THE OUTPOSTS OF EMPIRE. Referring to the debate on the naval position in the House of Commons in March last, he said (hat in Australia the speeches of Mr. McKenna and Mr. Asquith had fallen lika fire on tinder, and added enormously to the realisation of the position in which Australia stood. The offer of a Dreadnought from Australia was a natural sequel. Mr. McKenna had that day stated that the Admiralty was ready with an answer, and would give it if asked, regarding the best policy for the common defences of the Empire. He trusted that the Australian representatives to the July Conference would ask for 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 in the neighbourhood of French and German possessions? The duty of everyone in the outlying portions of the Empire was to assist in I maintaining supremacy of the seas. He I agreed with an incidental remark made jby Sir Hugh Graham (Montreal), on ! Saturday, that the Imperial Govern!>nent had been a little too indulgent to the colonies in this matter. Mr. Ward added: "We are quite willing to take the opinion of the Motherland's responsible naval authorities regarding what is the best policy, for we want the best, and will do our fair ehaie toward carrying it out (Cheers.) INDIAN VERNACtTLAR PRESS. Lord Cromer, in a short speech, said he was convinced of tha unwisdom of encouraging vernacular Pressmen to undertake political martyrdom, remembering that their sufferings were not acute. He hoped that some of the 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 had shocked the moral sense of the country.

Referring to the necessity of editor* firmly handling difficult situations, ha said that though he did not pretend to agree with all the views of the late Mr. David Syme (of the "Melbourne Age"), he could not withhold admiration for his courage.

Mr. Surendra Nath Banerjee (editor of the "Bengalee") said he had no hesitation in declaring that the vernacular Press had no sympathy with the outrages in India. He believed that under Lord Morley's rule India was experiencing a great improvement.

Mr. Alfred Lyttelton Baid it had been a delight to hear the great endorsement of Lord Rosebery's utterance. He suggested that the colonial contributions should not take the form of an annual grant, but of money to build a ship, to make the nucleus for efforts and aspirations of the future, ending ultimately in the ship being manned by citizen* of the donor colony, and named after the latter, her officers having facilßiea for rising to the highest poets in the navy.