IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14758, 30 August 1913, Page 11

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE

SYDNEY PRESS COMMENT.

(By Cablo. —Prt.-s Association.—Copyright.) .SYDNEY, August 29.

Tho ''Hrrald,' , commenting on Imperial defence, says that everyone welcomw tho re-openiug of negotiations for the holding of an Imperial Conferonco. The demand for tlto Conference rosts on ilireo clour ground. Kirst, tho colonial Ministers who participated in the IiXW or 1011 Conferences are not now in power. Secondly, the whole international p.rmion h:is changed since liX)i). nerocssitaur.g a re adjustment ol policy. Tins is the reason why England did not adhere to tho 1901) agreement. Australia desires to know what the highest naval authorities consider necessary, in order that Imperial interests in the Pacific may be adequately protected. Thirdly, the Conference would clear tho air in regard to the whole subject. That there is still nood for tho removal of misunderstandings, is shown by tho debate, in tho New Zealand Parliament. It does not seem to he recognised that tho Australian unit is a portion of the great Imperial Navy, and can l>e used tor trenor.il Imperial purposes whenever and wherever tho occasion arise;;. The suggestions for co-operation between Now Zealand and Australia are in every sense consistent with that unity of purpose and control which was mentioned in the New Zealand Parliament. AUSTRALIA'S FLEET. (Received August 29th. 9.30 p.m.) CAPE TOWN. Atißust 20. The Mayor, in a farewell messa;»o to the Australian warships, refers to them as ''swift shuttles of the Eimpiro's loom, that weave us main to main."