IMPERIAL DEFENCE

New Zealand Mail, 27 August 1902, Page 20

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

THE PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE. Onr London correspondent, writing on 12th July, says: —The second sitting of the conference took place on Friday of last week and lasted from eleven to one. The proceedings were devoted entirely to the question of Imperial defence. Mr Chamberlain and all the colonial Premiers attended and Sir John Forrest, the Australian Minister for Defence, was present by special invitation. Lord Onslow and Sir Montague Ommaney represented the Colonial Office, and in addition there were also present Lord Selborne (First Lord of the Admiralty), accompanied by Mr Arnold-Forster and Admira l Custance; and Mr St. John Brodrick (Secretary for War), accompanied by Lieutenant-General Sir W. Nicholson, Chief of the Intelligence Department of the War Office.

Lord Selborne opened with a lucid explanation of the Admiralty’s position and proposals, which latter were, I understand, eminently reasonaole and satisfactory to the colonial Premiers, all of whom spoke on the subject. Sir Edmund Barton suggested that colonial contributions should go towards the creation of a colonial branch of the navy. Sir GordoD Sprigg was in favour of colonial contributions going direct to the Imperial Navy for the equipment and maintenance of as many ships as the contributions would cover.

Mr Seddou urged strongly the two propositions which lie laid before the conference, viz.: (1) That the Australasian squadron be strengthened (a'' by increasing the number of cruisers;'(b) by withdrawing some of the inferior gunboats and replacing them with modern and a better class of cruiser; and (c) by adding torpedo-catchers or destroyers, if deemed necessary, the extra cost of maintenance entailed to be defras'ed under the existing agreement and on a population basis. (2) That in arranging for this it would be an advantage to the Empire to have subsidised mail services established as between Australia. New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain, the steamers carrying such mails to be British-owned, and to be of such a class and so fitted’ that in time of war they may be armed and used as Cruisers.

After some general discussion it was agreed that Lord Selborne’s proposals deserved immediate consideration and should form the subject of private consultation among the Premiers before the question again came before the conference.