SIR JOSEPH WARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7449, 25 May 1911, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD

ms VISIT TO CANADA. SUBJECTS FOB THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. When Sir Joseph Ward reached Vancouver ou March 31st ho received invitations to address member sof tho Canadian Club at Vancouver, Moose Jaw, I ort William, Toronto, Winnipeg. Ottawa and Montreal. Owing to the brief time at Jiis disposal Sir Joseph had to decline the invitations for the first three named place*, but addressed meetings at the other cities. Over three thousand people attended the meetings. At Ottawa there was a distinguished gathering, amongst those present being the Governor-General, the Prime -Minister, several Ministers and the leader of the Opposition. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward wore tho guests of the Governor-General during their stay in Ottawa. AN INTERVIEW. From tho “ Dally Province,“ published at Vancouver, we take the following report of an interview with Sir Joseph Ward on his arrival; “Personally, i place tho defence of the Briu-h Empire before any otner subject that cun oc considered at the Imperial Conference. It is a question that 1 have for some years closely studied. 1 have discussed various aspects of it with many well-informed men, and the mpro 1 examine into the question, and tJnuk over the present position and future possibilities, the more I am impressed with the necessity for some gieax and practical change in tho system under which the British Empire is, at present, governed and controlled in the ali-im-portant question of Empire defences. It is, to my mind, the question ot questions, and pre-eminently stands out as the first and greatest question of the day for tho statesmen of tho Old Land and those of tho oversea dominions to consider. It is not nowadavs a subject in which the British Isles alone are concerned, and, doubtless, i the same remark applies to the position during the last half century, but it vitally concerns every portion of tho British Empire, and, amongst others, most certainly the young nations, such as Canada. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (to say nothing of India), which are rapidly evolving from youth with its minor affairs, to advanced marfhood, with its increased and evergrowing responsibilities. It is singularly like tho work of a family. During tho children’s years of minority the protecting, controlling and defensive hands of tho parents are always extended over them. The latter eventually attain to manhood’s estate, and in turn are able—if tho family has been a well-regulated one, and allied by ties of affection and mutual interests—to extend the arm of support and the hands of assistance-to the parents. Our history, so far as tho Motherland is concerned, and the treatment of her children across the seas, has been ono of which we are proud, RECENT EUROPEAN OCCURRENCES. “It is clear to 1 those who watch tho course of events that recent European occurrences have caused England to call* her fleet nearer home. If I am correctly informed the Mediterranean, as far as the question of navel strength is concerned, is largely in tho hands of Franco and Italy, and that of the. Pacific is surely in the control at present of America and Japan much more than that of England. ima is naturally due to her drawing the main strength of her great navy nearer her own coasts, and though the oversea Dominions are undoubtedly protected by the British navv wherever it may bo, still, to some extent, the policy which doubtless is tho best ior tho present leaves the oversea Dominions to some extent exposed. In Canada, Australia, and in New Zealand, under our .respective internal policies we are all doing our part in the matter of providing a system of national land defences. The fact is apparent, at present, that at no time in the history of the world is peace so much acclaimed, and yet tho striking anomaly exists that never in r.iifc history of the world were increasing so rapidly. I do not believe there is any safety in dreams of permanent peace, and as a matter of fact this can only be purchased at the price of ensuring an unconquerable position on tho sea. \Vhat all parts of the British Empire to-day have to consider is the question how far the United Kingdom, under the existing circumstances, can in tho future maintain what we hope to be am invincible strength that will make the Empire, or any portion of it, unconquerable. “The Old Land has done wonders, and the British taxpayer has helped to build and maintain a navy of which her people in all parts of the British Empire are truly proud, but with tho great Continental and other powers increasing 60 rapidly in wealth, population and armaments, the time will come, unless the position as far as our Empire policy is altered, when the United Kingdom will not b© able to keep pace on the basis of a two-power standard requisite for the safety of all parts of the Empire, unless with the co-operation of all parts -of the Empire. In any case, it is not a fair proposition that the other ports of the Empire, who would in the event of disaster overtaking the British navy lie as vitally affected as those in Great Britain, should continue to expect the British taxpayer to go bn with equanimity and provide as he has done in the days of our youth, for oar protection. In the same proportion as we have now attained to manhood estate must we contribute for the preservation of ourselves as well as the Empire. FOREIGN POLICY OF EMPIRE. “Tliis brings mo to tho point tliat I am satisfied must , or later be examined, and I believe in the interests of all parts of the Empire will require to be given effect to. At the present time the foreign policy of tho Empire on the question of peace and war is determined wholly and alone by the British Government of the day. The overseas dominions have at present no voice—indeed, no right—to bo heard in connection with foreign policies, vital questions of international law/ foreign treaties. other than commercial, nor the crowning question of peace or war. In respect of all important matters the citizens of ‘ the oversea dominions are disfranchised, and no system can bo adopted which, while increasing the contributions from the oversea dominions for Empire defence, still refuses these growing young nations a voice in these vital questions. “To continue the present undefined policy violates the first principle of our constitutional system, that there shall not be taxation without representation. Therefore it seems to be almost inevitable unless an organised unity is devised that as pach portion grows in strength it will, by its own

policy in the matter of defence, separate from the rest and go on its way, either independently or otherwise; and hence some great scheme of imperial unity for Empire defence should be devised. The time may not be ripe for this; but I believe the system to which we must ultimately more is that of giving representation to the United Kingdom and to the oversea dominions on a population basis in an Imperial Parliament ol Defence; the purpose being to create a partnership in the protection of our Empire. The fact is patent that the present internal work of Britain herself, as well as that of the Empire, can not. however capable her statesmen may be, be carried out as effectively as the interests of the great scattered Empire demands. It is quite plain that the foreign and the domestic policy in the British Parliament often mutually enV barrass and impede each other. The House oi Commons is woefully overburdened with work, and interests of the greatest magnitude both at home and abroad suffer more or less in consequence. MAINTAIN TWO-POWEJB STANDARD. “Under such a scheme there should be no question whatever as to the capability of the Empire to maintain a two-power standarcr, and 1 believe it could do so- for all time. Under it the contribution of a Dreadnought or two would be a comparatively small matter. I believe that the combined Empire could with greater ease provide fifty Dreadnoughts if necessary than a separate portion oi it could, under existing conditions, provide one or two. (Applause). Under such a system provision should bo made by a sinking fund for the replacement of all ships in, say fifteen or twenty years, which is estimated to be the average life of a modern battleship. If all portions of the Empire were joined in such a system, and with representatives of their people in such - a Parliament, thereby having a voice, though that of England rightly would, be a predominant one, it would enable the ideals and aspirations of those oversea dominions which now support a local navy policy to practically have what the sentiment of local public opinion desires provided for under a system by which they would bo part owners, and in the control and disposition of which, through, their representatives, they would have a say, I see no reason why Empire docks and naval building yards should not bo established in each of the overseas dominions, and why some of the ships required should not be built m different portions of the Empire. Iney could be manned by British seamen drawn from all portions of the Empire. Such an Empire navy should bo one in reality, and under iho_ entire control of the British Admiralty; an< i I am persuaded that the disposition ol the vessels of the various _ overseas dominions would more effectively provide for the present and future requirements than could be expected from any system of isolated local navies. . , ‘‘My ■ firm conviction is that in the general necessity of the widespreading and rapidly-growing interests of ’the British Empire the question of naval defence should be placed under an organised system, of either an Imperial Defence Council or an. Imperial Parliament of Dofenco, with representatives from all parts of the Empire attending, ami that under such a system tho ocean routes, the landed territory, and the vast interests of the people in cur great Empire could be more -effectively protected than under the present eystern of each one, with good intentions, carrying out a system of its own. With such ideals before us it is at least worthy or the best efforts of the men who meet from all parts of tho Empire to approach the matter dispassionately,, and with the common object of -endeavouring to establish a practical Empire naval defence system.* 1