IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 15138, 20 March 1913, Page 8

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

THE RIGHT TO SPEAK. DEPENDS ON DOING SOMETHING. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 19. Speaking at the Colonial Institute, the Hon. Janies Allen said that Australia had nothing in her mind except Imperialism. She was wise enough to know that she was powerless without the help of the Mother I.and. No Dominion was entitled to aek for a voice in the councils of the Empire until it had progressed in development, but ihe day must come when they would be admitted to England’s Executive Council. The sooner that time came the sooner would Imperial Preference ha reached. In the course of a discussion on a paper by Viscount Hythe on 1 Imperial Defence, 1 Mr Holman Justified the policy of the Australian Navy, and hoped it would be the forerunner of a Pacific fleet. Lord Relborne. who presided, said that when the different parts of the Empire realised the existence of a purpose Justifying common action they would find the ■requisite organisation. He advised the Mother Laud not to attempt to set a pat* beyond the rate at which the Dominion! were prepared to go. CIVILIANS VERSUS EXPERTS. LONDON. March 19. (Received March 20, at 10.10 a.m.) Mr P. E. Morrell, member for Burnley, has tabled an amendment demanding that the Government should not accept any defence scheme without first obtaining the approval ot the Commons. SIC-r- OF THE TIMES. TERRITORIALS AND INVASION. * LONDON, March 19. (Received, March 20, at 11,30 a.m.) Colonel Weston made compulsory training the cardinal issue of the by-election at Kendal. The -Minister of War, Colonel Sidy, ' in the House of Commons, said that the War Office proposed to establish .■oven squadrons of 18 aeroplanes each. They, would not require Zeppelin aimhips. cause the Army would be an expeditionary one. Great Britain possessed the best aeroplanes in the world. One biplane this week had averaged over 91' miles an hour. He regretted the Territorials were below their strength. He did not, however, fear an overwhelming invasion, therefore it would not be necessary tc ask the country to fill up .the 16 per cent, deficiency. The Imperial Defence Coin’ mittee would shortly consider the whoh question. The Minister announced" that Mr Balfour had accepted Mr Asquith’.'invitation to join the committee.