THE NAVL CONFERENCE’

Evening Star, Issue 14054, 8 May 1909, Page 5

THE NAVL CONFERENCE’

NEW ZEALAND’S “SOUL-STIRRING OFFER.' ■■ A FRIENDLY CHAT. WANTED,-A COMMON ORGANISATION. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 7. Lord Crewe (Colonial Secretary); speaking at the Liberal Colonial Club, and referring to the Naval Conference in July, said he was not'prepared to admit that the time was absolutely ripe for a full and complete discussion of the whole question of Imperial defence. It could hardly be expected that Sonin Africa would speak with certainty on the subject until union was accomplished. On the other hand, there had been so many incidents of importance—the fine, soul-stirring offers by New Zealand and Australia, and the not less beany movement toward the improvement of Imperial defence by Canada—that the Government were entirely justified in endeavoring to arrive at seme, at any rate prevision at, conclusions after talking the matter over in a friendly way. His view was that the sooner they could approach towards a common organisation in defence the better for the Empire. Such things as an Imperial general staff arid a certain assimilation he would hot say identity of organisation—Tor the purposes of defence between the systems in the Motherland and the Dominions were all steps in the right direction, but local elasticity was not less necessary. Great Britain could not do anything more unwise than attempt to impose upon the great selfgoverning colonies a scheme which was unpalatable to them. In a sense each Dominion must- work out its defence in its own way. He was glad to know that the Government’s action had the approval of both sides in politics, because this was certainly a matter wherein they should desire the country to act as one. The statement was received With cheers. The ‘Daily Chronicle,’ referring to the Conference, declares that- the idea of federation in defence agrees with the political conditions, and appeals to the sentiments common throughout the Empire. RACE FOR DREADNOUGHTS. WHAT KRUPPS CAN DO. LONDON,, May 7. (Received May 8, at 8.10 a.m.) The ‘ Pall Mall Gazette,’ commenting on the German race for Dreadnoughts, says that Krupps have ten pits' for heavy - gunmounting, thus enabling them to construct gun-mountings sufficient for six Dreadnoughts annually. Krupps also are adding eight further pits, which will enable them to fib eleven Dreadnoughts. The Government are not aware of the extent of Krupps’s increase. \