TELEGRAPHIC.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 147, 26 June 1902, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME & FOREIGN.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE,

THE COLONIES' CONTRIBUTIONS

TO THE NAVY.

SPEECHES BY AUSTRALIAN

STATESMEN.

Press Association. Electric Telegraph.

Copyright.

London, June 24.

At the annual West Australian dinner the guests included the AgentsGeneral and Lord Onslow, Undersecretary for the Colonies.

Sir John Forrest, Federal Defence Minister, in proposing the toast of The Imperial Forces, said he hoped that Britons would not lose their heads in a spirit of generosity, but deal with the settlement of South Africa in a businesslike spirit. The war had welded the Empire in bonds of steel, and had immensely strengthened the confidence of the colonies in the Empire's ability to deal with the question of international defence.

Alluding to the Imperial Conference, and speaking his private sentiment— not committing tho Commonwealth — Sir John said he recognised that the time had now come when the colonies, although unable proportionately to equal the Motherland's efforts, must do all in their power to assist the taxpayer of Britain in maintaining the Empire's fleet, whereon all were dependent against attack.

The Right Hon. E. Barton, in proposing the toast "West Australia," eulogised its sturdy energy and splenMft. rally to the Commonwealth. He cordially agreed to a large extent with Sir John Forrest's remarks. The difficulty was how to realise his aspirations. Would Western Australia like to postpone the transcontinental railway in order that the Commonwealth might make a much larger contribution to the Navy ? The Commonwealth has been asked to assume control of the Northern Territory. That might be burdensome, but difficulties were made to fee overcome. Australians, Lord Onslow said, all recognised their obligations to the Empire. If Australia was compelled to go slow for a time it was not because she did not wish to go faster, but that she was unable to do so owing to financial limitations. 1!