IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 288, 9 June 1909, Page 2

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Press Assn— By telegraph — Copyright. LONDON, Yesterday. The Manchester Guardian characterises the substance of Lord Rosebery's speech as hollow and unreal, the effect of which w.ill be iuflainraa-to-ry. Ii cont-innes: "Mr Deakin's offer is gratifying evidence of sentiment and unity, but if the choice is between, an Australian Dreadnought for service in the North* Sea and the equivalent in value of service in. Aastralian waters, we prefer the second alternative. If Australia contributes towards the defence of the North. Sea she binds us in an equivalent contribution to her defence in the moment of danger."" > The Daily News states that sooner or later such offers as that of Australia must be reduced to a system of "if the colonies share the burden, of defence they must possess the right to influence the policy." The Scotsman says the phase of neglected duty in connection with Imperial defence is passing. Even stronger proof than the words of the colonial journalists is furnished by the Australian offer of a. Dreadnought. The Glasgow Herald says the Empire can no longer to treat Imperial defence matters as purely a Britannic concern. Optimism is encouraged by the*, promptitude with which Mr Deakin reversed the policy of his predecessor.