Imperial Conference.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 155, 27 September 1902, Page 4

Imperial Conference.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION (By Electrio Telegraph — Copyright.) MELBOURNE; Sept. 25. Mr Doakin, during the course of a statement in the Federal House, said he saw no reason why such information as he had respecting the Imperial Conference should uot be uuade public. ArVitb regard, to Military defence, the proposal submitted to the Imperial Government was to croiite a militia reserve for service outside Australia in case ef emergency, but only with the consent of the Federal Government. That position appeared to be wholly withdrawn. In regard to naval defence, the proposals submitted were for a now squadron, aud a reserve force to be subsidised by Australia aud New Zeuland to the extent of £467,000. That proposal was also withdrawn, and a later proposal was to repeal the present Subsidy Act and submit a new schedule, half the cost to be borue by the Admiralty, five-twelths by the Commonwealth, and one twelth by New Zealand. Under this Australia would pay £200,000. The total cost however, did not distinctly appear to be for a smaller number of vessels, but of greater tonage and much increased spesd. It was intended that one of the cruisers aud three of the existing auxiliary squadron ahould be manned by Australian sailors, paid at a special rate, and enrolled on a basis of population in the States. Two of these ships would be for Australia and one for New Zealand. Australia would | have eight nominations for cadetships, and N«w Zealand in proportion. Cabinet shortly considers the proposal, and if adopted a bill will be submitted to Parliament.