IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 6 July 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

NAVAL DEFENCE.

BRITAIN'S STANDPOINT.

\»Y CABLS--BESS ASSOCIATJOH -COPYS.-HT gr " LONDON, July 4W* The Japanese treaty being temporarily disposed of the Premiers' Conference considered naval defence. Britain's istandpoint was presented first by Mr Lloyd George and Mr Austen Chamberlain. Mr Winston Churchill, addressing the delegates, pointed out that while she was prepared to defend the out-poursg as far as possible, Britain was unable to guarantee that in time of war every Do minion would be inviolate. The Motherland did not desire to shirk hep respWeibilities, or unload the cost on to others, or retract anything previously undertaken. However, the . situation \ "Was complicated. Thfe Dominions were once colonies iand before that were set-, tlements, but now they were great na" , tions. The only way to obtain a settlement of the question was frankly to discuss, with the Dominions' ieaders what they I wanted and discovering what Britain could do. The proposals made had been carefully considered for some time by. Britain and ponfidential statements lad been prepared regarding the vari-: ous fighting services. These proposals^ were examined from the point of view of Imperial defence as a whole and were co-ordinated by the sub-committee on Imperial defence \ sitting under the president of the Council of Defence with the object °f: devising a practical scheme to be effecl^xve in time of war. The British Gov-P^-nment did not desire to dictate the movements of Dominion troops; that was a matter for the decision of the respective Governments. The measure of co-operation would be reflected in subsequent discussion. i Mr W. M. Hughes pointed out Australia's dependence on sea power, outlining the efforts made" for self-defence under the Henderson scheme. He. intr-, mated that the Commonwealth spent on naval defence much more than al*i the other Dominions put together, yet the Australian navy was not effective : to defend her; there was not even aj plan of campaign, so far as he knew, j Australia depended for existence upon j Britain's control of-the seas, yet Britain declared she was unable to main- [ tain the navy at its relative pre-war strength. The Dominions should accept their share of responsibility and Australia'was ready to shoulder hers. It is understood Mr Hughes put forward certain proposals on the lines already cabled. It s seems likely a heavy subsidy will be suggested, provided adequate, strength is maintained in the China squadron and other forces, with a base in Australia, New Zealand cooperating with the existing ships of tha Commonwealth fleet, which will b© T_ept in a state of efliciency. Facilities for dockyard refitting bases were also set out, together with a statement ot i the amount spent on the preparatory j work under he Henderson schLm© and an estimate of the sum required to complete it. It is understood Mr Hughes is determined not to commit Australia to, this expenditure and the proposals will be submitted to Australia first. I