IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16567, 3 June 1914, Page 6

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE, DOMINIONS. . . CONFERENCE POSTPONED. [From Our Correspondent.] LONDON, April 24. A White Paper was issued containing " Correspondence Relating to the Representation of the Self-Governing Dominions " on the Committee of Imperial Defence and to a proposed naval conference by the Imperial Government this week. IMPERIAL DEFENCE COMMITTEE. As to the representation of the dominions on the Committoe of Imperial Defence, the Secretary of the Colonies addressed a dispatch to the Governments of all the dominions in December, 1912, in which he repeated a declaration made in a public that the Imperial Government would ' welcome a more continuous representation of dominions Ministers, if they wish it, upon tho Committee of Imperial Defence," and asked whether the dominions desired "to adopt some such method of more continuous connection in naval and military affairs with one Committee of Imperial Defence in the United Kingdom." Mr Borden, when he introduced the Naval Bill in the Canadian Parliament, mentioned with approval the idea'that a Canadian Minister should be in London "during the whole or a portion of each year." being " regularly summoned to all meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence," and "regarded as one of its permanent members." Newfoundland saw "no difficulty in Ministers from this colony' when in London putting themselves in touch with the Imporial Defence Committee." New Zealand did not " consider it advisable at present" to send a Minister to London as a member of the Imperial Defence Committee, "but rntlier that, when at any time accredited Ministers. . . . are in England, they may be invited to attend the deliberations of the Committee." GENERAL BOTHA'S MINUTE. Tho reply of tho South African Government was embodied in a minute signed by General Botha, who said that he and his colleagues had " noted with plensure that . . . no now departure- in constitutional practice is intended," but expressed a doubt " whether the idea of a Minister of tho Union residing in London for the purpose of constantly representing the Union Government on the Imperial Defence Committee is practicable." "So long," added General Botha, "as the control of foreign policy remains, as under present conditions it necessarily must remain, solely with the Imperial Government, and tho Imperial Government continue . . • to consult tho dominions on all questions of foreign policy which affected them individually, Ministers do not it necessary to have a Union Minister in constant attendance at the Imperiai Defence Committee." NAVAL DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

The Australian Government replied by telegram to Mr Harcourt's dispatch saying that it would bo impossible for any Commonwealth Minister to visit Great Britain during 1913, and suggested that a subsidiary conference on naval defence should be held in Australia during January or February, 1913, adding, "If this is not practicable Ministers would be prepared to attend a conference in New Zealand, South Africa or Vancouver." This suggestion seems to have taken the Colonial Secretary by surprise, for he telegraphed in January, 1913, asking whether this conference was suggested lor 1913. Informed that it was, he telegraphed again that " owing to situation of public affairs here the suegestion was 'quite impossible,'" adding that "other dominions could not attend at short notice, and it is doubtful whether they would desire a general conference at present." A general election took place in Australia in May, 1913, and on August 15 the new Government telegraphed to Mr Harcourt that they were "considering tho naval defence situation," especially in connection with the 1909 agreement. They expressed anxiety to know exactly the intentions of his Majesty's Government in this respect, and expressed willingness to " arrange for representation at a conference should his Majesty's Government consider this necessary." No renly to this telegram Is published, but in November, 1913, Mr Harcourt wrote asking why the Australian Primo Minister had. told Parliament that ho had asked the Imperial Governmont to convene a conference of dominion representatives as no such request could bo traced. The Commonwealth Government answered by telegram that they regarded their telegram of August, 1913, as a request for a conference.

After a considerable interval (March 13) Mr Harcourt again telegraphed to Australia and New Zealand, asking whether they desired a conference. The New Zealand Government replied that " New Zealand desired a conference, but unless time and place (are) convenient, representation cannot bo adequate." The Commonwealth Government reiterated its desiro for a conference, but said that " in view of the early meeting of Parliament it is now impossible for any Commonwealth Minister to visit London during this year." (1914). The correspondence closes with a briel telegram dated April 1, from Mr Harcourt to Australia and New Zealand saying that the " question of a defence conference must stand over for the present."