IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 10, 13 January 1915, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

"TO BE OR NOT TO BE."

SYDNEY HERALD ANSWERS THE QUESTION,

(Received Jan. 13, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY., Jan. 13

The Herald, in a leader discussing the Fisher interview in New Zealand regarding Imperial :...defence, says: "The war has proved conclusively that in naval affairs any want, of;co-opera-tion between Australia and New Zealand must be disastrous to both: to Australia because it diminishes the number of ships with which she can co-operate in trading and manoeuvres, and .deprives her of valuable assistance; and to New Zealand because in

war time it leaves her coasts dependent on the assistance of her neighbors."

Referring to Mr Fisher's wish for the holding of an Imperial Conference in 1915, the Herald deprecates the wish. A conference at present could settle nothing. Discussion would be worse than useless and would only add to the burdens which already harassed Imperial Ministers. The article endorses the Hon. Mr Massey's contention that the place for Dominion Prime Ministers at present is their own countries. They can at least do less harm there than abroad.