IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 14999, 5 October 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

SENATOR PEARCE AND SIR J. G. WARD. Press Association—By TdegTaph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, October 5. (Received October 5, at 9.55 a.m.) The Federal Minister of Defence (Senator Pearce) characterises the suggestion that early morning drills for cadets be substituted for those at night as preposterous. Discussing Sir J. G. Ward's statement in Parliament on Imperial defence, Senator Pearce said that Sir J. G. Ward had not given his reasons why he was unable to conceive the idea of * an Australian squadron defending British interests in the Pacific. Sir Joseph, at the Imperial Conference, admitted that the idea of a Pacific fleet, whereto the Dominion should contribute a unit, was advanced by the Admiralty, and that indicated that* sectional navies were not regarded with disfavor bv the Admiralty. By the agreement Sir J. G. Ward proposed "on behalf of New Zealand he was prepared to allow the control of portion of the China Pacific unit to pass from the hands of New Zealand. Senator Pearce considered that, according to the view Sir Joseph Ward now takes, the proposal he made at the Conference had all the disadvantages of a sectional navy and none, of the advantages. It did not appeal to local patriotism, and it must hamper the Admiralty's administration. The Senator added 'that Sir J. G. Ward's two proposals and his comments were inconsistent. The policy of Australia did not hamper the Admiralty, and left her free to develop the naval" spirit of the Commonwealth.