IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1926, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

CONFERENCE CONSULTATIONS.

COST NEEDS TO BE SHARED,

(Australian & N.E. Cable Assn.) (By Cable —Press Assn. —Copyright.)

LONDON, Det-embtW 2.

The following speech ihadfe by Mr Baldwin on Imperial defence at the Imperial Conference Oil October 26, was issued tnuiigiiL Mr Baldwin, at the outset-, stressed the rigid adherence ttf successive Governments to the advisory and consultative character of the Committee on Imperial Defence throughout all its developments. The elasticity dl’ . Hie membership of the committed enabled the Dominions and. India to take advantage of ths facilities of the committee to any extent they desired. “They can,” he said, “accept, modify, or reject its advice. The opportunities for the personal association of representatives of the Dominions, with the committee since the war have not been numerous, but the question of Imperial defence has been discussed in the greatest detail at the Imperial Conference, which, indeed provided an opportunity for taking stock of the Committee’s work-. AptH't from the personal attendance of Ministers however, tile association of the Dominions with the Committee sin'ce the war has been considerable. At present, there' are fifty sub-committees dealing with the co-ordihation of the fighting services and the auxiliary Work’ of civilian' departments. Generally, the whole of this is a great field of co-or-dination by the Committee of Imperial Defence. I hope the Dominions and India will avail themselves of the advantages of the recently-established Imperial Defence College.”

Referring to the Singapore naval base, he stated that the present programme of work was limited to what was essential to enable the utilisation of floating docks after their arrival Meanwhile the Government had recently decided to adopt a reduced scheme advanced by the Admiralty. At the same time, careful investigations had been made in regard to the requisite naval base defences, and the plans of the chiefs of staffs had been approved. The expenditure would be very heavy, even after allowing for the reduction of the original Admiralty scheme. The Government came to the conclusion after the most careful consideration that it was vital to the security of the Empire that this scheme would be proceeded with because it was essential that the Fleet should have full freedom of movement throughout the Empire. He therefore asked the Dominions specially interested in the Far East to consider most carefully whether there was any way in which they could co-operate in the development of Singapore, either now, or within the next few years. There could be no more valuable contribuGo i to the defence of the Empire. On the whole, considerable progress had been , made with a continuous investigation into precautions in the event of raids and a scheme of insurance against aircraft and bombardment risks in the light of war experience, had been worked out. Plans had also been worked out for the insurance of ships and cargoes against war risks.

Mr Baldwin added: —“Lord Cecil presides’over the Trading and Blockade Sub-Committee, which is studying all the methods of economic pressure which were inaccurately termed a blockade in the late war. Mr Baldwin outlined other sub-com-mittees’ activities, and said he hoped that as part of the general policy of improving the methods of communication and consultation on matters of common interest. -It would be considered how far, in the interest of the co-ordination in defence, the elastic machinery of the Imperial Defence Committee might be further used. The Home Government would certainly welcome more frequent association and closer co-operation with the committee on all matters affecting the Dominions, or the general defence of the Empire.

Statements were also made at a further meeting, by Lord Beatty, on behalf of the Chiefs of Staffs Committee, and by Lord Birkenhead, and after subsequent meetings, discussions were resumed at a meeting of the'Conference on November 15, when speeches were made by Messrs Mac-Kenzie-King, Bruce, Coates, Havenga, Monroe, and the Rajah of Burdwan.

OVERSEAS , 1 Mr. MacKenzie King, expressing ( appreciation of the Service demonstra- j tions, said they indicated the need for , all parts of the Empire to keep abreast i with defence organisation. J Mr. Bruce reviewed at length what had been done by Australia in the ( way of defence since the passing of the 1923 Conference resolutions. He . said that the ordinary expenditure on ' the maintenance of local defence now . approximated five millions sterling annually. The Australian Government , in 1924, also approved of a developmental programme, extending over ( five years, at a total cost of five mil- , lion sterling, excluding capital cost of naval construction. He summed up: “Australia, in the present five-yearly period, of which this is the third year, is spending 25 millions in ordinary maintenance, millions for developmental purposes, and 6.1 millions for naval construction and aircraft equipment, equal to an annual expenditure of 24/- per head of the population throughout five years. But for the current years the appropriation is over eight millions and the average cost 27/2 per head. The guiding principle on which all Australia’s defence preparation are based is complete uni- • formity with the fighting services of Britain in order that, in time of emergency, it may dovetail into any formation with which Australian forces may be needed to co-operate. The establishments of the British Army are accepted without modification as war establishments of the Australian Army.” He outlined the proposal for the exchange of officers for training purposes and said the system of exchange of ’staff officers with England and India would be regularly maintained. He pointed out that the Australian officers were at the time engaged in flight, including the East Coast of Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa, with the object of surveying bases for War and commercial aviation purposes, and to test the suitability of seaplanes for operation in those waters. Arrangements were being made for the provision of oil tanks at Darwin. Australia was looking forward to becoming fully self-supporting in the near future in regard to the provision of equipment and munitions. The Air , Service would be equipped with the best modern types in the next three years. Landing grounds were being . established on strategical air routes ! besides grounds for civil aviation. He referred to Singapore as a question of primary importance to Australia. It was of the very greatest impor- \ tance to every part of the Empire that the trade routes-of the • world > 1 should be ensured in the ” eVent /of 1 aii outbreak of hostilities. .Australia ’ w:u< Mitisfird it was essential there should he a. bane in the East, where

the British Navy could be quartered in the event hf-Rouble arising..in the Pacific. In. both protecting the' Ehri*■ pire territories and ehsuring the trade routes Augtrallas final decision was that Singapore should be the place and it was absolutely essential; While he could nOt for a second suggest tlifii AdStrklia would contribute tbWards its-’ cohhti'UUli'dn in view of fits' remtj,iiiihg commitments, he promised that the position would be discussed by the Commonwealth Parliament to come to a decision if it thought, fit. He concluded by emphasising' tlitit Australia Still Subscribed to the prin-‘ ciple that every effort should be made! to bring about a limitation of arma-| mentS-. NEW ZEALAND’S POLICY. I Mr J. G. Coates expressed himself as impressed with the Service demonstration. He was disposed ib think that the Army had deitibristrated that a number bf Vehicles and machines cOfild be of practical use, not onlj r militarily, but civilly and commercially, particularly in overseas countries in connection with pioneering work. He expressed the opinion that the taxpayer was getting a most valuable asset in the Army’s work apart from defence. He agreed with Mr Bruce. It very hard to separate parts of the Empire, especially in case of a dispute. Any dispute which affected one oi‘ two portions affected all. He asked if the burden of construction of the necessary ships could not be borne in greater proportion by the Dominions, which did not consider themselves so vitally concerned. Singapore WUS On the basis Of that principle; It seehled important that the Offers Of assistance from the Dominions and India should be made soon. At present it was not practical politics for New Zealand to build cruisers, but she intended to continue ; the policy of developing her own division of the Royal Navy and maintain modern suitable cruisers. Mr Coates referred to the matter of New Zealand making a definite an nual contribution towards the Singapore base. This would be submitted to his Parliament at an early date. He considered that the New Zealand Government would be prepared to increase its share of the burden Britain had to bear to enable sea supremacy in any particular quarter to become more efficient. Details were now be i ing discussed with the Admiralty. New Zealanders, as far as military policy I was concerned, intended to continue 1 in full agreement with the Defence < Committee’s proposals in regard homogeneity of organisation, material '•nd : i e of trailing establishments in i E xit in, India, anu any Dominion with < whom she could co-operate. New Zea- • land was anxious to continue air de- • velopment on co-operating, lines with I Britain, and possibly Australia. He pointed out that New Zealand’s geographical position entered into consideration.

SOUTH AFRICAN A’lT! PILE. MrHavenga detailed the South African military system of defence. He approved of coast defence. This was maintained at Table Bay and Simons Bay. The qnest’.cn of making Durban, an adequately defended port was under consideration. South Africa aimed at keeping its military organisation as far as resources would permit in harmony with the. British Government’s policy, lint no person could legally be compelled to render personal war service outside South Africa. Therefore, the extent of South Africa’s immediate or ultimate participation would depend on South Africa’s national interest in any war being so great that, when an emergency should arise, special amending legislation would lie acceptable to the country, or. on the popular interest b’eing great enough to ensure numerous volunteers. He was confident that, if the circumstances were such that the Union desired to participate in a war, public opinion would be such that no difficulty would be experienced in ob taining an infantry brigade for external service, and a further effort would be forthcoming if the situation developed. It was his opinion that in the present stage of their development the policy best serving the union as well as the British Commonwealth was, that, while discharging the present coast defence responsibility, they should devote the available Cape financial resources to training and developing air and land forces. It was in these with which South Africa would be able most effectively to assist in the case of a war in which the union was participating. He suggested that the Committee on Imperial defence should review the South African coastal defences and consider whether on the assumption that it would soon be necessary to re-arm or increase the home coastal - defences, anti-aircraft could be more efficiently and economically used, and, in view of the probable nature and scale of attack against South Africa, should also consider cognqte matters. Mr Baldwin accepted the suggestion.

Mr Monroe said men, especially seagoing men, were the only considerable direct contribution Newfoundland was able to offer.

The Rajah Burdwan said that India subscribed to the general wish of the Department, but must not fail adequately to provide for her own local defence, and the burdens under her own defence unfortunately rendered it impossible that she should contribute to the Singapore base. India had accepted the necessity for maintaining uniformity in training methods and equipment throughout the Empire as far as practicable. Comment regarding the Defence lieport is generally restrained and noncommittal. The “Times” says: “It is clear that no immediate help may be expected from Australia, New Zealand or India towards the cost of the Singapore base.

- COMMUNIST’S PROPAGANDA. LONDON, December 3. Mr Saklatava (Communist ex-M.P.) is writing to all th® Dominion Premiers, calling attention to what he calls “the most important •human problems and certain political problems.” He says: “Probably you were nol invited to inspect the thousands upon thousands of congested insanitary British homes, in which mothers giving birth to babies, are surrounded in the same room, even in the same bed, by other grown-up and half hungry workless children. These are, to a large extent, to be your population in the future, for pick as carefully as you may, these will form the majority of British people of the next generation. The fussy nature of some of Mr Baldwin’s Cabinet Ministers has just been presented to you as. strength, and the Yarmouth bloater character of some of the British Lab; our representatives placed before you, as an index of general contentment among the working class, so you are evidently departing with a safe market in your pockets, and will dream of a strong well-developed . conservatively disciplined stream of emigrants, whenever you whistle for them. It is my bound,en duty to draw the attention of you. Colonials to the real problems of life, which you ought to have ’ studied’ with greater care than .calculations of profits of some imaginary trade.”