WHAT AUSTRALIA THINKS.

Mataura Ensign, 19 March 1909, Page 3

WHAT AUSTRALIA THINKS.

"THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE. - Received March 19, 10.45 a.m. SYDNEY, March 19. Public men take a serious view of the naval situation as disclosed by Mr McKenna's statement and its bearing on Australia. Mr Fisher (Federal Prime Minister) states that at the Premiers' Conference at Hobart he drew attention to the present state of European polities, ami stated that the danger of invasion might, demand thai, the whole resources of the country should bo used. Tho 'Sydney Daily Telegraph' suggests that in the event ol the tension over the naval situation becoming sharper if Australia and Canada, as the leaders amongst tho colonial countries, each oiler the Admiralty the cost of a Dreadnought what a significant intimation it would be to the nations that these comparatively rich young dominions would be quick to reinforce the Motherland for any emergency. The cost would be relatively small but the force of example would lie tremendous. The 'Sydney Morning Herald,' while recognising tho significance of the position to Australians, says: "While we rail be grateful that the Mother Country is facing facts with traditional rourag* wtS must in decency sing small until we can feel that we are doing our fair share towards keeping the national home together." DISTRUST OF GERMANY Received March 19. SMo h.hi. LONDON, March 18. Mr Frederic Harrison. President of the English Positivists' Committee, states in 'The Times' that though opposed to all forms of militarism he warmly supports every possible precaution oil Sea and laud against Germany. Positivism is the philosophical and religious ejsteirt of Auguste Comte (17i%-1857). Under the "life" nr regime of positive religion Comte would includo tho political and social side ol liis system. The former involves the establishment of an international republic, consisting of the f<ve great nations of Western Europe, which is ■ultimately destined to lead the whole world; tho latter the reorganisation of society on the basis ol a double direction —that- of the temporal or material authority, and that of the spiritual or educating body. Positi\-ism as a religion lias achieved some success since Comte's death.