EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Mataura Ensign, 23 April 1913, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

A BURNING QUESTION. LESSON OF MANOEUVRES. *1 XL*CSBIC TELEGBAPH.—COPTBIGHT. PER UNITED PBSSSB ASSOCIATION. Received April 23, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, April 22. The discussion or the Armj Annual Bill in the House of Lords is attracting considerable attention, especially Lord Haldane's (Lord Chancellor) remark that the dominions may yet do mora than, defend themselves, and also th» feuggestion that both political parties might take counsel together subsequently passed by Lord Curzon (exlYiceroy of India). The 'Pall Mall Gazette' (0.) support* the latter proposal. The 'Westminster Gazette' (G.) states that if the Territorials fall below th® Strength the Government should not Ihdopt compulsion but should increase tiie second line of naval defence or retain a professional army till the sea frontiers are secure. The 'Daily Mail' (Independent Unionist) declares that last year's manoeuvers •howed that the floet representing Germav was able to land 28,00U men •a the Yorkshire coast. AN INVIOLABLE EMPIRE. -j Received Aoril 23, 9.30 a.m. j FREMANTLE, April 23. Sir V.'m. Hall-Jones (e|-fligh Corn- j fcd.ssioner for Now Zraland) in aai interview said it was good news to hear J tiiat Australia will lay down another j Dreadnought. With N pit Zealand and ' Australia doing share in Imperial defence and with Canada and South M l ica coming into lino there was a I possibility of India doingther slia.ro and if Great Britain adopte d some system •f universal training the Em [lire would fce practically inviolable and we should I prove ourselves irresistible in attacks J and invulnerable in defence. I Sir W. Hall-Jones was emphatic that' •ompulsorv training in (1 reat Britain ' must come and the only question was ; Whether she will wait til trouble came •r insist on having it before it was too j late. j