THE DISCUSSION AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 140, 11 June 1909, Page 5

THE DISCUSSION AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

LORD ROBERTS ON ENGLAND'S

PERIL

* 'VOLUNTARY SYSTEM HAS UTTERLY FAILED."

[press association.] -(Received June 10, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 10. In Ms speech at the Press Conference during the discussion on Imperial defence, Mr Balfour said that the fat© of Australia. New Zealand, 'Canada, South Africa and India would ■not be decided in the Pacific or the Indian Ocean, but in the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. Everybody who read the signs of the times would agree with the weighty words of Lord Rosebery and bir inward Grey, and would recognise the impossibility of looking at the subject of Imperial defence without anxiety. Mr Brierly (Montreal) said that it danger threatened the Empire Canada would be prepared to, spend her IaStHBBLA d#DROP OP BLOOD to prevent a catastrophe. The results of the Conference would not be found in the minute-books, but in the increased interest shown in Imperial matters. , Mr Haldane agreed with every word uttered by Mr Balfour. He urged the Colonies to ORGANISE THEIR FORCES in the interest of their own necessities, but to remember the possible need for the co-operation of the Empire. Like Mr Balfour, he felt the burden of the present time. Difficulties were arising which were not accidental, but came into existence because other nations were becoming more wealthy and powerful. But he still believed that the Empire's rate of progress was greater than that of any other race. Mr Fenwick (Dunedin) said that the speeches of Ministers and ex-Minis-ters this week had made the Conference, historic. The editors had received much inspiration on many points. The spontaneous offer by New Zealand of a "Dreadnought" was not to be measured by its cost. It was a demonstration of PATRIOTIC FEELING which would help forward all the Empire. He disclaimed disapproving of the action of Canada and Australia in deciding to provide their own defence, but said that all must recognise how inadequate local provision must be. The safety of the Oversea Dominions lay in the maintenance of a

GREAT IMPERIAL NAVY; therefore he urged the press to support it. Mr Cunningham (Melbourne) said that it was impossible'to get Australians to realise that their first efforts must be wholly directed to the Imperial Navy. They should be first interested in their own defence. They should think of the Navy, if only a local Navy that would be a steppingstone to an Imperial Navy. He thought that Australia had been treated indulgently in the past; that was the secret of the wave of enthusiasm which resulted in the recent offers of New Zealand and the Commonwealth. He was-. delighted to know that the new Government of the latter had adopted the people's wishes. Australia was NOT READY [to adopt universal training. It involved many problems, and he doubted the wisdom of .attempting to force it at the present stage. ! Lord Roberts said that the CHIEF DANGER TO ENGLAND was that it had enjoyed so long the supremacy of the seas and security on land that it was apt to regard its safety as a fixed condition. He believed that a new era had commenced, which might require the whole Im- ' pire to justify its existence. Nothing but forethought and preparation could make us reliable for the great emergency. Mr Fink moved a resolution in favour of UNIVERSAL TRAINING. The Commonwealth's latest offer, he said, was not intended to interfere with the provision of local defence, which should be subordinate to Imperial needs. He believed that it was Australia's desire that the nation's manhood should be trained so that if emergency arose it could be organised into an efficient military unit. Mr Mark Cohen (Dunedin) seconded the resolution. He said that the Colonies spent large sums on education, and surely it was rightful to ask some return for that expenditure for purposes of defence. Aft«r the words of warning frofi Lord Roberts and statesmen before that Conference it was useless to take further notice of armchair critics who dreaded compulsion. He advised that Lord Roberts should be sent as a MISSIONARY OF THE EMPIRE. Several speakers" objected to the re- i solution as outside the object of the meeting. The resolution was accordingly withdrawn. Mr Jas. 0. Fairfax (Sydney) said that if the forces overseas undertook an important share in Imperial defence some steps would be required to give them a share in the guidance of those forces. Further questions might arise respecting the share in decisions updn peace or war. .-Though himself not 'a militant Federationist, the points he had touched on ought not to pass unheeded. Lord Roberts said that if the resolution had been pressed he would have supported it, because the voluntary system HAD UTTERLY FAILED, j and modern warfare required good training.