IMPERIAL UNITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14144, 20 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL UNITY.

A COMMON PATRIOTISM.

SPEECH BY MR. BRYCE.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

(Received August 20, 12.30 a.m.) Ottawa, August 19. Mr. James Bryce, the British Am- ! bassador at Washington, made a speech on Imperial defence at a banquet at the Canadian Club, at St. . John, New Brunswick, yesterday, j . " The full self-government which | the great dominions enjoy," he re- ! marked, "is recognised by Great | Britain, as much as by you, as one of i the most effective weapons for se- ■ curing both your own welfare and ! the sense of Imperial unity binding us together. " Any and every effort you and the other great dominions are disposed to make concerning the common defence of the Empire, and

each part thereof, will be welcomed by us, not only as a help towards securing the safety of each territory

—and in this there.is no sort or kind of aggression, for our relations with all the great nations are friendly— but also as evidence of a feeling of common patriotism and devotion for the purpose animating us all."

THE DEFENCE PROGRAMME.

KEYNOTE OF THE SCHEME.

London, August 18.

The Standard, commenting on the results of the Defence Conference so far as is known, remarks that one of the vital points is that the programme will be concerted, and in it due attention will be paid both to local requirements and to the wider interests of the Empire.

It adds that concerted action is the keynote of the whole scheme, and that very much would depend on harmonious co-operation.

There has been an increasing readiness on the part of the United Kingdom to examine defence from the standpoint of the dominions as well as of Britain. Imperial unity is based on local equally with Imperial sentiment.

THE CONFERENCE RESULTS.

OFFICAL REPORT WITHHELD.

{Received August 20, 1.10 a.m)

London, August 19.

No official information regarding the Defence Conference will be forthcoming until the oversea delegates return to their respective dominions and explain the situation fully to their own people and Legislatures. The Times says: " Not until Sir Joseph Ward is once more in New Zealand will the conclusions of this historic and possibly one of the most momentous of Imperial gatherings be officially revealed."

CAPUA'S CO-OPERATION.

Nucleus of A navy.

London, August 18.

In connection with the Defence Conference, Canada, like the other dominions, creates. a local section of the Imperial General Staff organisation. This will enable Canada tocooperate with the rest of the Empire. Steps were taken' to initiate the staff after Sir F. Borden's 1908 mission to England. ,

The nucleus of the Canadian navy will be commenced, immediately, with an eye to the Pacific as well as the Atlantic. Dock facilities will also be increased.