THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1912. EMPIRE AND DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15047, 17 July 1912, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1912. EMPIRE AND DEFENCE.

.—.—. Tub interest manifested during the past few years in the naval defence of the Empire shows no sign of flagging. The problem is arousing earnest attention both at Home and in the Dominions, and every week brings evidence of an increasing desire on the part of the latter to contribute their proper share towards expenditure for a common purpose. A fortnight ago Mi*. G. E. Foster, Canadian Minister for Trade and Customs, publicly declared in London that Canada could not be satisfied with her past recor.d, and that while it was open to her to develop within her own borders, yet common origin, ideals and destiny impelled her to recognise the necessity of community of counsel and effort with other parts of the Empire. So, too, within the last few days, a South African Minister has declared that his country is not only willing but anxious to ta-ce a full share of Imperial responsibilities. That public opinion in the United Kingdom is beginning to realise the deep importance of the subject, and the nature of the questions involved in a, consideration of it, is shown- by

, a most interesting speech delivered by the chairman of the great, ship-i building firm of Cammell, Laird and Co. on the occasion of the launching of the Melbourne, the first vessel • for the Australian naval unit. " The need of the moment," he said, " appears to be concentration in counsel and direction, and diffusion . of the ttieftns of production. How far has this important truth been grasped ? I come back inevitably to the question, 'whither will this •■ tendency to assume the burden of nationhood lead usT We have to-day an outward and visible sign that the Australian people mean to tiake upon themselves 'thfe responsibility of defending the Empire • when, war has broken out. They i have embarked upon ft new voyage, and they cannot now put back into port if they would. But who will • elate to say that they can continue on their" present course, and that •" they ought to continue on it, without ' assuming the further responsibility of helping to determine the policy which shall decide whether there will be war or peace? No thinking man can believe in the permanence of the present arrangement." The inexorable logic of facts, he" added, will f»rce us to a choice whether we mean the British Empire to break up into five oivsix separate and independent States, or whether we mean it to be one organic union presentirig a united front to the rest of the . 'world;';'"' • , In view of the concentration of public attention upon this great , topic a peculiar interest attaches ' to the conference now going on in London between the Ganadiaii Premier and the Imperial Defence Committee. During the last year or two oi: Sir Wilfrid Laurie?' s administration there was manifested a ten- » dency on the part of the Canadiailt Liberals to assert and emphasise Caiia<ia's virtual independence and i to advocate separate nationoi action ori her part. This was particula,rly noticeable in Sir Wilfrid's utterances at the last Imperial Cbriference, .. True such a sentiment was based upon a desire to undertake a proper share in the defence of the Enipii'e, but there was a disposition to*; break away frtShi a policy of cohcertefl action aiid to rely upon a principle of voluntary co-operation between States bound simply; by a free alliance. It was thus that a separate na%'y for Canada became part of the Ministerial programme; Nowi however, the position is altered. The Liberal party has been defeated and Sir Wilfrid Laurier has given place to Mr. Borden, at once a patriotic Canadian and an ardent Imperialist. With commendable prudence the new Prime Minister has decided to take no step until after conference with Great Britain, and he is at present engaged in discussing the question with the newly-iormed Imperial Defence Committee. The result will be awaited with the keenest interest, for Canada's action will have a great effect upon the policy of the other Dominions. Obviously his task is one of extreme difficulty, Canada's desire to contribute' towards defence must be reconciled with her determination to be regarded as a nation entitled to voice in Imperial, affairs. The plan of a separate navy presents many inconveniences, and would be no certain guarantee against Canada being drawn into a war concerning which she had not been consulted. On the other hand contribution Without representation will riot long satisfy the self-governing Dominions. Once it is recognised—-and it is . beginning to be recognisecl—that efficient defence implies control by one centralised authority, and that assistance by'■ the Dominions implies that they are entitled to be * consulted upon matters of policy, oreat Britain and her partners will be brought iiaevitably to discover a means of ensuring "concentration in counsel, and direction and diffusion of the means of duction. " If/ they fail to do this they will drift further apart, and must rely for their defence from foreign aggression upon the hazardous chance of co-operation after it I kVs become too late to take common counsel together. The present :m- ---. portance of Mr. Borden's mission consists in the fact that the question will not brook delay. Some definite action must at once be taken, and the result of the conference will be {.to determine, perhaps for ever, the course of action which Canada will take,,:'' ■- !■■"...': .'-- ■-. :-' r — ■ - ••■'■-■■■