EMPIRE NAVAL POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14146, 23 August 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE NAVAL POLICY.

CONFERENCE AGREEMENT. NEW DEFENCE SCHEME. THE PEACE OF THE WORLD. By Telegraph.--Press Association.— (Received August 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 21. Mr. Haldane, Secretary of State for War, speaking at Liverpool, said the Defence Conference had come to an agreement for a naval and military organisation that was destined to make the Empire one and indivisible for defence purposes. Mr. Haldane predicted that the agreement would play a great part in securing the peace of the world, and would put the naval and military forces of the Crown on an entirely new footing. The Spectator says Lord Charles Beresford's demand for a naval inquiry has proved of no small national advantage. Admiral Beresford had struck a real blow in favour of naval efficiency, and the committee's report had given a mortal wound to Fisherism, i.e., the unchecked exercise of power by one individual who is particularly unsuited by personal characteristics to exercise such a monopoly. f CANADA'S NAVY. ADVISORY OFFICERS. (Received August 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 21. The Admiralty has agreed to lend Canada a number of officers to advise regarding the organisation of a local navy. Ottawa, August 20. The Winnipeg Tribune condemns the decision in favour of a Canadian navy, instead of Canada joining the other colonies in a contribution towards the improvement and maintenance of the royal navy to the standard of the Empire's necessities. The Montreal Witness expresses a fear that the Canadian and Australian rejoicing in the triumph of their independence of policy in regard to naval defence will weaken those elements in the dominions which make for Imperial unity, and will encourage and strengthen the centrifugal forces.

• The Montreal Press and the Quebec Patrie approve the autonomous principle, which they understand underlies the work of the Defence Conference.