DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1142, 1 June 1911, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

SPEECH BYLORD HALDANE. A MEMORABLE WEEK IN IMPERIAL HISOTRY. LIGHT ON OBSCURE PROBLEMS By Telegraph—Press Associati-on-Conyrieht (Rec. May 31, 10.5 p.m.) London, May 31. Lord Haldane, Secretary of State for War, in addressing the London University Officers' Training Corps, said the Conference between the Dominion Prime Ministers, tho Home Ministers, and the Army and Navy experts was a source of profound satisfaction. "Wo have opened our minds- to each other," said Lord Haldane, "and we have taken each other into confidence. "We found we bad common purposes, common objects, and a common mind, and wo have now come to a common conclusion on problems which, until recently, were obscuro and difficult. "I believe the last week," continued the Minister, "will turn out a memorable one in tho Empire's history. One of the great problems this generation had to solve was how to come to the aid of the more distant parts of the Empire, should they be in peril. It would bo a tre-_ mendous burden to impose upon these islands to send an expeditionary force to the aid of the outlying Dominions, but the problem might be solved, if the rest of the nation were ready to take up its burden." DEFENCE CONFERENCE CONCLUDES. A PROMINENT SUCCESS. London, May 30. Tho Prime Ministers attended further meetings of the Defence Committee held in the morning and afternoon. Mr. Asquith presided, Rec. May 31, 10.40 p.m.) London, May 31. Tho Dominion Prime Ministers' Conference with the Imperial Defence Committee has conoluded. It is stated that whatever the other results of the Conference may achieve, the deliberations on defence stand out as a prominent success. A good understanding has been established after an excellent exposition of Britain's foreign policy. The committee has apparently made it clear that apart from any assistance tho overseas Dominions may render, Great Britain will not deviate from her resolve to maintain and defend the integrity of every part of the Empiro single-handed. The Conference will resume on Thursday, when it is to discuss the Declaration of London. It is expected to adjourn again on Friday over AVhitsuntide. The Conference has cabled congratulations to South Africa on the first anniversary of its political union. NEW MACHINERY NEEDED. SUGGESTION BY "THE TIMES." London, May 30. "Tho Times" says:—"The Dominions' Ministers recognise that their admission to tho inner councils of the Empire brings vastly-increased responsibility." In connection with Mr. Fisher's declaration, that the step marked a new era in the development of tho Empire, and that, onco taken, it could not bo retraced, "The Tinies" adds:—"Though tho step is not to bo retraced, its good effects are liable to lapse if the machinery is not changed. Tho Colonial Office should be strengthened by the creating of a council with functions resembling those of the Secretary of States' Council of the India Office. The overseas Governments should create a Minister whoso wholo duty it would be to keep informed oil Imperial affairs." THE STAMPS PROPOSAL. (Rec. May 31, 10.40 p.m.) London, May 31. Mr. Fisher and Sir Joseph Ward opposed the uniform stamps proposal mainly on tho grounds that it would destroy tho individuality of the Dominions' complicated postal accounts. NO VISIT TO BELFAST. London, May 30. Owing to the shortness of the time at their disposal, the oversea Prime Ministers will bo unable to visit Belfast. A WEST AUSTRALIAN VIEW. London, May 30. Mr. Frank Wilson, Premier of Western Australia, interviewed here, said that Australians wore ready and willing to do more than they were doing, both in tho way of promoting Imperial trado and participating in Imperial defence.