The Dominion. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1914. DEFENCE AND IMPERIALISM

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2130, 23 April 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1914. DEFENCE AND IMPERIALISM

It is gratifying to know that the rather alarming statement of tin London Standard- that serious friction exists between tho British authorities and the Governments oi Australia and New Zcalaad regarding Ikt defeiiee of the I'iieife is not borne out by facts, The Australian Prime Minister (Mil Cook) state; that there are Bo divergencies othct than those already mado public, while the New Zealand 1 Minister oi Defence (Hit, James Alven) dee'Lircithat the Contfnittgo of Imperial Befence is thoroughly sympathetic with New Zealand, and though the Admiralty authorities m-ay differ., in opinion oa swine points with the ISfev. Ziealand Government, they are fjnitc loyal to New Zealand and its aspirations in the matter of naval policy. Mit; Arlen has demo well in making it quite clear that the questions under diseussionaro beiag considered in. a friendly spirit, and with a sincore desire to arrive at'an agreetocwt Satisfactory to all parties; out it is air undoubted fact that we haw reached a taming poinfe in ■the history of naval defcß.ce, and that the tiaio has arrived for defining a- compfohetisiro and consistent scliewo in which the most efficient method of future ,dcvck>p>nenfc will be clearly laid dawn. In this matter it.is oi the- utmost importance that the various self-governing eomtnuaifcies of which, the British Empire is com* posed should c'.O'Operatd in a harmonious and intelligent manner for the purpose of working out a. system of naval defence which will meet the tjecd-s and', circumstance's of the Empire at the present time, and he capable- of extension and development, in accordance with the requirements of the future. Both Australia and New Zealand are anxious to do what is best for their own in> forests and for the* interests -of the Empire as a whole, but- the vacillating and uncertain ideas of the Home authorities arc placing the overseas Dominions in a difficult and unsatisfactory position.. Most peopltj who liavo- given serious thought, to the matter will agree with Mfi. Allen's view that the. whole matter should now he threshed out as 'between the Dominions and the Meter Country, and a permanent poh'cy he devised and carried oui. The 'Standard declares that ,tho position is so strained that the whole conception of lainorialism may be modified. But "strained" i'g not the right Word to describe- the situation. There js really no friction or unfriendliness, but; tho Australian and New Zealand Governments have good reason to complain of the state of uncertainty which has been created by tho hazy and .inconsistent noliey of the Admiralty authorities. Tho reference to the possiblo modjfication of the present conception oi j Imperialism is too vague to be quite I intelligible, There are several con- ; ceptions of Imperialism in tho field, : and it caanot bx; said 'that any mo ■ of them has secured general acceptance. The broad idea of Imperial federation includes quite a number I of .different schemes of unification; 8-nd what is known as the Britannic Allianco theory might, be worked out in a number, of different ways. One i of the great tasks of Imperial statesmanship during the twentieth century will be to diHecwer and realise a comprehensive scheme of consolidation winch will be firm and strong enough to secure united action indefence and in other matters affect' ing tl» interests of the whole, and yet sufficiently elastic.to enable- tho paste to exercise tho fullest freedom as regards self-government;, and to develop their own ideals of nationhood. This idea of unity is something new in hi&tory, and is'not likely to bo reached at a bound. It can only be attained step by step, and by a process of political evolution, the cod of which it is at jivosofit impossible to sec. The Imperial Conference and tho Committee of Imperial Defence arc important forward steps, and m now needs arise further methods of co-operation will no doubt- bo devised to satisfy thmii. In this way that conception of Impcriftl unity which is most in ne-cordan-cc with British sentiment, and satisfies the practical requirement* of the Empire most fully, will get itself realised. It will "be a, ta&e of the earvival of the fittest It- must be a Ion?; and gradual process, and ill-considered attf-mpts to force the pace may have disastrous consequences. The most urgent seed at the present moment is co-opera-tioa in defence, and after this problem lias been solved others will mo fee their amiearfi-nee, aiitl their settlement will. proUabl.v involve furtber steps iti the jdirectioß of thafc Ira-μ-flrial consolidation npttft which the future strength and prosperity of the Empire, must rest.