ROYAL NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 12 January 1926, Page 7

ROYAL NAVY.

DOMINIONS ALL IN ALL THE PROBLEM OF THE PEOPLE. IF BRITAIN GOES TO WAR. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, January 11. The "Morning Post" says it is likely the Imperial Conference will be held in 1926, but the date depends on the Dominion Premiers. The Dominions are not parties to the Locarno Treaty, but it is clear they are concerned with the obligations incurred under the treaty, as Britain, in certain contingencies,"is bound to intervene with an armed force in European disputes, and any declaration of war would presumably include the Dominions "and colonies. Both the security of the Dominions and their ability to contribute assistance to Britain depend on tbe strength of the Royal Navy, a fact which has been largely disregarded since the war. Australia and New Zealand, how_ver, are under no illusions on the point, and as the Dominions cannot defend themselves, the present population problem of Empire settlement is bound up in the Navy. As the Dominion populations grow, so will their defensive power increase. A comprehensive scheme of Imperial migration is deplorably delayed. Australia offers to an envious world the spectacle of a continent of inestimable natural riches inhabited only on the coastline by a population far less than that of London alone. Finally the Empire Settlement Associaiton policy of Imperial preference, and the results of arrangements made at the 1923 conference will appear at the coming conference. The problem to be solved is how to give the produce of the Dominions and colonies the advantage of British markets without imposing duty on foreign foodstuffs. Solution is easier if the production of the Dominions is increased. —(A. and N.Z Cable) THE RHINE FLOTILLA. A DUTY TERMINATED. BERLIN, January 11. The Rhine flotilla of the British Navy, consisting of shallow-draught, oil-engined boats armed with six-pounders, which have been used in patrolling the British Rhine zone, has left for Home after seven years' service.—(Reuter.)