EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 296, 18 June 1909, Page 2

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Press Assii — By telegraph — Copyright. LONDON, yesterday. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith, in reply to Mr Keir Hardiej as to the form in which the Commonwealth's generous offer of a Dreadnought would .be finally accepted, said it would depend on friendly discussion at the forthcoming Defence Conference. Mr Hardie asked whether, considering that the Australian Labour Party still opposed the offer and public opinion was much divided, the Imperial Government would delay acceptance until after the general election. Mr Asquith replied: "No, sir, . The communication camo to us from • the Government of the Commonwealth and we are concerned with them and them alone." MELBOURNE, yesterday. Colonel Foxton lias left to represent the Commonwealth at the Imperial Defence Conference.