FEDERATION OF EMPIRE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 259, 5 October 1912, Page 5

FEDERATION OF EMPIRE.

FOR PURPOSES! OF DEFENCE. PROPOSAL TO INVITE MR. CHURCHILL TO N.Z. [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL.] Wellington, Oct. 5. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr. Myers (Auckland East) gave notice to ask whether, in view of the suggested visit to Canada of the First Lord of the Admiralty (accompanied possibly by a battleship squadron) with the object of placing on a firmer basis the Imperial relations between Canada and the Mother Country in matters of defence he will communicate with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia with a view to sending a joint invitation to Mr. Churchill to extend the visit to the Australian colones so that the Commonwealth and Dominion Governments may lie in a position tc obtain at first hand reliable informatioh which will enable them tc formulate a policy of common defence based on a practical federation cf the Empire. In an attached note, Mr. Myers said this would be especially advantageous to New Zealand as no members of the present Government have been privileged, to hear the secrets of defence and foreign policy laid bare by the Imperial Defence Committee. It is also admitted on all sides that the visit of Lord Kitchener was of incalculable benefit in the inauguration of the compulsory military training scheme, and it is equally apparent that a visit from the First Lord of the Admiralty besides serving the above purpose, would not only stimulate interest throughout the Dominion in Imperial matters, but would tend to enlighten the people on the facts which dictate great Britain’s foreign policy. The occasion would also afford a unique and valuable op, portunity for a conference «.n matters of defence between Australia and New Zealand.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S PACIFIC PROPOSALS. CRITICISED BY FEDERAL DEFENCE MINISTER. (Received 5, 9.25 a.m.) Melbourne, Oct. 5. The Hoi’. G. F. Pearce, Federal Minister for Defence, characterised as being preposterous the suggestion that early morning drills for cadets be substituted for the present night drills.

Discussing Sir Joseph Ward’s defence proposals, Mr. Pearce said that Sir Joseph did not give 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 the idea of a Pacific fleet whereto the Dominions should contribute- a unit, and the idea was advanced by the Admiralty. That indicated that sectional navies were not regarded with disfavour by the Admiralty, and by its agreement with, what Sir Joseph Ward proposed i.-n behalf of New Zealand, it was prepared to take the control of portion of the China-Pacific unit out of the hands of New Zealand. Mr. Pearce considers that, aeording to the view Sir Joseph now takes, the proposal he (Ward) then made had all the disadvantages of a sectional navy, and none of the advantages. It did not appeal to local patriotism and must hamper the Admiralty in its administration. Mr. Pearce added that in these cases Sir Joseph’s proposals and comments were inconsistent. The Australian policy does not hamper the Admiralty and it leaves us free to develop the naval snirit of the Commonwealth.