PRESS CONFERENCE DEBATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14580, 20 July 1909, Page 8

PRESS CONFERENCE DEBATES

SOME NOTABLE SPEECHES. CABLES OF THE EMPIIiE. (From Ouh Own' Coheksi'ondf.xt.) LONDON, June 11. The scene 011 Monday morning in 1110 largo gilded loom overlooking tno quadrangle of the Colonial Otiice was one not soon to he forgotten. Practically everybody who matters 1:1 the journalism of Great Britain and all llio -delegates from oversea were present, with the notable exception of Mr 11. liretl, whoso indisposition has compelled hint to forgo the whole of lhe first week's activities. It cannot he said that Monday's debate was of a hiyh calibre. Lord Crewe was not nearly severe enough as a chairman, and the discussion ran oil' into all sorts ol alleys and by-ways. Now and again a totally unaccredited individual from one or other of the colonics chipped in and droiv a red herring across the scent. The speeches, too, were not generally superior to those at, say, the annual conferences of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Indeed, the debate reminded one very much of these conferences, jvitli the important reservation that, the judicious chairmanship of Mr J. G. Wilson was wanting. Lord Crewe himself is a typical English speaker, hailing and cautious, but ho does not. infuse the fire into his utterances that Mv Balfour or Lord Hoscbery does. The main significance of his speech was his assurance that tho Government was in the fullest sympathy wiih tho cheapening of the cable rates, and would assist as far as it could. He did not, however, give any undertaking - that a .State cable would be laid across the Atlantic—a slop which Ihe conference generally regards as of first importance. The Australian delegates who spoke also supported the motion, as had been agreed upon before tho conference, though some of litem aro known to be opposed to any cheapening of the rates. in tho debate there was absolute unanimity 011 the fact, so well expressed on Sunday by the Observer, that " the most persistent enemy of Imperial union is the sentence torn from its context." All present understood perfectly what that meant; but, in case any did not, Lord Crewe instanced the recent disastrous incident arising out of Colonel Seely's speech on the Eolith African Constitution. lie was confident, ho declared, that if tho whole speech had been cabled there could not have been any misgiving 011 the part, of tho South African people. Mr Sidney Buxton, the Postmastergeneral, is a practical, colourless speaker, with an occasional lapse into dry humour. Mr Austen Chamberlain looks more like a short-distance sprinter than anything else-clean-shaven, as straight as an arrow, with his coal; buttoned tight. When he referred to his father there was deafening and continuous applause, of which John Foslor Eraser said: "It showed how deeply affection for the great colonial statesman was embedded in tho hearts of the oversea men." TIIE DISCUSSION. After a few preliminary remarks, Lord Crewe plunged into the subject, which ho described as one of supreme importance. There were countless prescriptions, he said, for bringing the various purls of tile Umpire nearer together; yet whatever they might do, whatever form they might take, they must all agree that e;:sy and cheap communication was above them all.—(Applause.) Intercommunication between tho different dominions Wits every bit as important, and all desired to see a closer ami more intimate knowledge of all parts of the Empire by the bitj self-governing colonies. This absence of cheap communication li'ad its serious side, ami the difficulty and the danger of curtailed cable reports was fully illustrated by his Lordship. Lord Crewe also declaimed against tho code system, which was all very well for business, but which broke down when it came to the announcement of new facts, lo tho development, of a new policy, or to statements of an explanatory character, where verbal accuracy was absolutely necessary. Next, came a reference to tho Pacific cable, which ho thought had it very real and beneficial elt'ect, because it had both instituted and caused elsewhere a very substantial reduction in rales. The development of wireless telegraphy was a side of the matter of which they could not lose sight. At the Colonial Office they were pursuing communications and suggestions, both from individuals and parties, with regard to wireless developments. They had one before them relating to New Zealand and tho Western Pacific, and tliev had even done a little themselves in the West Indies. The silcuea of tho cables for several hotus was a matter which Lord Crewe thought required attention. "That there should be several hours during the day when t.lieso precious means of communication are lying absolutely idle suggests that, the system cannot be an absolutely perfect one as it exists, and leads us to look for a remedy." In coneht-ion Lord C'rcwe read a cable mofsage from Lord Minto wishing the gathering every sucmss. .Mr Kyll'tu Thomas (Adelaide) cordially thanked Lord Crewe for his a<klro??. after which Mr Stanley lie:-,-1 (Bombay) proposed tho following resolution:--"That this conference regards as of paramount importance that telegraphing facilities between the various pints of the Empire should he cheapened and improved, fo as to ensure better intercommunication than exists at present, ami appoints a committee to reportto tJw conference at its rea?=euibliug on .Tune 25 as fo the best means of attaining this objcct." Mr Theodore Fink (Victoria) seconded ill; resolution. Mr Sydney Ruxton, Postmaster-general, said he thought the conference was acting ill a most judicious way in referring the matter io a committee, for report to a later meeting. Mr Buxton was entirely sympathetic. For business purposes lie pointed out n bu'-mtw code, message at a penny a word frequently worked out at afarthing a word when decoded. It seemed right, therefore, that a special rate should he granted to the press, so that they might be placed 011 an equably with the business man. He declared that the British Post Office would do what it could to assist the committee by information and co-operation. Mr, Austin Chamberlain, M.P., who made a br&f speech, received a markedly cordial welcome. lie thought that the question was one of grave import to the development of the Empire. "I hope," he said, "that whatever is decided upon those who have been pioneers of this work and rendered great service in the past- will not be. ungenerously treated.—("Hear, hear.") But T. venture lo add that they must make up their minds that the times are. changing, that fresh needs are arising, that the service whith sati-fied in the pa-t cannot satisfy us in the liiture. and that if they arc wise they will he tho first to study how fey may meet those new needs, and how they may avoid burtleuin? themselves by publ'dvowncd and publicly-supported competition.'' Mr Phillips (Yorkshire Post) pointed out that, they would have to differentiate between the two cifisses of news, ihat which was of Imperial imeortance and that which wa« of commercial importance. Mr Tcmperley 'for Australia), Mr Fcnwick (on behalf of New Zealand), and Mr Banerjo? (speaking for India) supported ihe resolution, which was carried, and a committee was appointed, ron=isting rf Sir Hugh Graham (Star, Montreal). Mr Kvfiin Thomas (Hecister, Adelaide). Mr F. W, Ward (Telegraph, Sydney), Mr T. Tentpe.riey (Richmond River Times, Ballina). Mr 0. Fume's (Otago Daily Timc.>). Mr M. Cohen (Evening Star, PuiKvlin), Mr .1. S. Brierley (Herald, Montreal), Mr P. D. Rom (Fromng Journal. Ottawa). Mr J. Nelson (Victoria Times, Victoria), Mr 0. 11. Jvingswell {Kan-d Deilv Mr,il. South .-Uriee.t, Mill. F. P. Stow (South African News, Capetown), .Mr Croshie Roles (Times of Ceylon), Mr S. Iteod (Tur.c.-: oi India). ITon. Siirendiunath Itanerjce, Mr A. C. L:iw«n (Madras Mail). The following were added to repvefc.tt the English lire--:—The Hon. Harry T.r.wson, Mr Molvrlev Hell. Mr J. S. R. Phillips, and Mr E. Parker. IMPEUIAL DEFENCE. NAVAL CO-OPERATION. What a change .came over the scene on Tuesday morning! From (he level of a provincial debate the conference suddenlv soared to that of the Oxford Union or the mother of Parliaments. The subject, of course, lent itself to florid phrases and patriotic peroration. There was no sordid smalhiess of detail. The gilded room became now the arena in which envoys from all corners of ihe earth should declare, as even Premiers may not. the fidelity of the people of the Outer Empire to the Imperial ideal. Four British speakers of the first water followed in quick succession—Mr M'Kcnna (First Lord of the Admiralty). Sir Edward Grey (the weightiest, speaker'of ihe present Cabinet), Lord Cromer, and Mr Alfred Lvttelron,— and one of the worst 1 partisans amongst the political pcrsifleurs j of London journalism came humbly away and wrote: "The thought one brought) away was how unr.nimoua mc:i of common 1

sense ran he when they discuss high Imperial problems apart from political bias." ies, when they do. Lniil the oversea journalists reached England it was considered impossible for good, honest journalists to be politically above party. lint when Mr M'K.emm and others spoke everyone cheered ai the same tiino-thn Leer editor of the \olkstem, the Scot from Montreal, the Australian from Sydney, the Xew Zoalonder from his homeland, and the Ijong.'tli from India. The conference cheered to tlio echo the uttered belief that the llritish navy is the hope and palladium of the Empire, but they were equally tolerant to the idea of the"allied navies of the oversea dominions, of which Mr (•wynne. the editor of the. Standard, and others spoke. New Zealand was not represented ill the discussion except, indeed, by one of its distinguished sons-Mr F. W. | \\ard, editor of the Daily Telegraph, Sydney,—who made a very striking speech. •• I'or one thing," be remarked, "I say that the history of Australia shows tho value of tho ttriiish command of the seas.—(' Hear, hear.') 'We have lived in perfect security for .100 years. Wo lind a great deal of the national produce; we have millions of acres of vegetation, which helps to provide for millions."—(Cheers.) The great sea road from Australia to England had always boon safe, yet, " never a ship has carried a gun from our shores; nothing but a'itag. The (la;; is all." The choiring was prolonged. Mr Ward. " wo must not lorget that- we are a great empty continent—and a great empty continent is a terriblo temptation. And Australia is only ono part of the great British Umpire. To some nations Australia would be an Empire in itself, and if there is any danger wo Australians are in it; it is life or death to us. If our safety was taken from us then wn have lost all." Mr Gwyime's standpoint was an interesting one: "Tho Empire is made up of livo greet nations, as Sir Edward Grey indicated, and national defence must bo carried out on the lines of a union of allies. Let each nation be closely allied; let each have a fleet, with a common Admiralty for oil. The Armageddon of the Empire might bo ofl' Cape Horn. If we are going to go in for a happy-go-lucky policy, what compelling force is there to make Australia, for instance, send ships lo Singapore or Canada or South Africa?" The resolution endorsed by the conference was as follows;—" That it is tho duty of tho press to do everything in its power to co-operate with the naval and military authorities in organising tho defences of the Empire, and to take all possible precautions to avoid injury to the public interest in publishing news in time of war. That, it is desirable that the press of Great Britain and of tbe colonies should act in concert, in the wise direction of the surplus population of the Mother Country, with those colonies which stand in need of additional settlers." Till; DERATE. " Cu Tucsiiy the subject down for,discussion was •"lii-a l'reis and tho Empire," visea the Ktgiu lltm. It. M'iv.t.-iia, M.l'., i'nvt Lord oi the AiinMakj, pfcu.od, and d'.KCH-'d th_' aucuwou of the delegates to the piJjl.'m ot '.l;vk"aee. There was a wealth of oratory, Mr 'M'Kenna being followed by txe-Ksiui/ii of the .rank ot Sir liiivard Grey, Lord Cromer, and -Mr Alfred EvUcium, M.l' The lipcechca were of a it'.-.tnieily iiy.-iict.'iin.g character, and both ;:a.t.csn:.i.i a.'id editor , ; oitogc-thei' ill advocating the ctainis of Empire. In opening the p rotted bigs Mr M'Kenna sid we always spoke of our Imperial and nii:':i;uy problem-.) "8" the protons of de-f-c.ucc, anil it was only from JJio defensive point of view that wo ever considered ourselves in relation lo other countries. "Our giro.it object," continued Mr M'lvenna, " in the insiii.tcp.ano3 of a navy is to keep open the highroad of the c-eas over tile waters our borders touch So long -as iliat highway i.s open to u«, all our iar.ds, separated they are by thousands of miles, are coil tiguous. So long as we can keep that highi load .'it,' diiTtei'/ll'.rs of mutur.! dc.fs.nee, mutual assistance in common defence, are not -o groat as those which a hiiiifed years ago confronted the Government of any great Eumpeon country which had the problem of country ti-a.nsnort to encounter. Tho rcmctofi, Dominion is nearer to liritish shores to-day than tho North of Fiance was to the South of France one hundred years ago. The ono essential is that wo should keep the high road of tho sea open. 'that is the great Imperial strategic problem which confronts us. It is that which gi\w us a quickening pur/sc, •act only of confidence in our dependence upon, but of partnership in, the navy." Mr M'Kcsnui went on to say that to England the question of naval defence in its Imperial aspect covered the whole globe. We could not admit, that we bad any kss leS'pnns-ibility in ono part of tre Empire than in anofhnr. —(App!aiisa.) But, when ono eawe to consider the naval prob'om as it must present itself to the mind of each of the Dominion), it was nr.poss'iolo that- one could avoid forming dificront judgments and conclusions. Tho fviise of partnership in the navy was common lo all, hut ]ve.?land reeoenised t.hat in the dcvokipiiKiit of the naval idea in every Dominion that was essential that the mansp.ring should come from the Dominions themselves. Lag land could not force Mratr.gical id.-as upon the colonies. Continuing, Mi M'Kenna said: If any D,'minion came to the Admiralty at Homo here and asked m wha.t our view was as to the *r.-l; a-sis|n.nce for the purpo-e of defence which could be rendered «e sbou:d l:e rr:dy with an answer, llufc WJ Mien!,' not necessarily oxneet you to aeccpt our answer. You will' have your own views as to the proper developments Oi oej'n-ivr fc;e?s in your own <voniin.:oe.s. It is only by your working out vour own pre Menu for yciirseives thai you' can ever gain experience, I.es,:ons tokl von, as it wcie, bv others will never come home to i-ou with the same force as Issons wlrich .von have learned for yourselves. Wo will amvi in every way in our power, whatever be tlio methods .by wlricch we aro i ant ' wp s, »'- that in I 'e ong run out this p rocc ,o S of Fc]if , th'ye.lopmc.nt every Domin-ion will come ll.iiniately to t-lio same conclusion—that the main problem of /Meucs i.s the eame for tnem all, nnd that tho Jnamtcna.n« of supremacy at sea moans the minute™.,re 0. eiipremaev m nil the Fffi of l.ifA. J n concli'sion, he appealed to the press to keep iiavy ottlsule parly politics. Sir Edward Grev began with the follow- !<•?.] of our foreign policv i policy of I'his eouiLtry is'to Keep wtiat we have got, to consolidate and I.evelop it, to quarrel as little a., possible u.th otner people, and lo uphold in tho councils of the world and by d'plomaoy those ideals by which wo set so much store He went on lo .say the press had lli-reo functions—(l) criticism. (2) to man,a ami form public opinion, and (3) p.iblts.ung news. " Criticism is a valuable lUnciion, said Sir Edward, "provided it no exercised in. a way that will make it clicctivc. It should never raise a blister because the part of tho body on which the blister was raised remained afterwards less sensitive to It ought not to be partisan. .Nothing could bo more di«Li'--or dangerous llittn that the press of (ho hm\m-c should Iji\ tnrn£<.l info a mutual admiration society. Sir I'xlward then drew a d?lightftil picture of tho average British elector:—"l wish there was time for vou lo make tho acouaintanco of tho average Uril.hh elcotor. It is not easy to g-t ai him. He is a very solid person, not ephemeral people like thoso of us 011 this platform. It is not easy for its even in our own constituency to know what he thinks. He docs not always take an active part on political comliiittees. I think he likes gcod speaking and good writing when it is not too eloquent. If it is too eloquent he begins to ho afraid you are taking him in. To sum h'.m, 1 think he is a man who often makes mistakes, but he has a solid foundation of enduring good, sens?, wdiich prevents men cleverer than himselt making greateAmis-taUi-s than lie would make' himself. At myrato, he turns them out of office if they do. 011 character the Empire had been made; 0:1 cbamctei the Kmpire must be maintained. One of ihe characteristics common throughout the Kmpite was a sense of justice. Snam and pretence were disliked; snd in the third place he thought t.liev had made and maintained the Empire liy recognising that in all controversies ."with countries th;y had to compromise. Sir Kduard dvprccated the idea that the British I'oreig.n Gflice ',vas more ready to compromiso where the interest* of foreigners were conevnit<t than where British interests were concerned. Centtng to ihe question of armaments, -ir Edward stated that the response from the colonies showed that the Empire beat with tino heart. Amid ehccrs lie declared his eir.loi.-cinent of every word that Lord Kciebery had said, "We are," lie continued, "in comparatively calm weather, not in stormy weather, in foreign politico. The excessive expenditure on armaments, however, makes the air sultry. The seriousness 0; that expeniiiiare cannot be over-

| l'.okoil, nn;l von should know to-day how /conscious \vp are ai Home that there is fur too much ;it stake to lor our naval t'xpentliiure fall In-'liinrl, whatever til? burden. You I have shown how great Iho sources of the Empire art?." Lord Cromer, vim followed, said that one of the greatest Imperial problems of the future was how t-lrse huge Oriental eomniuiiilifs w-ere lo be governed. It. was among l-hcm rh.it he had spent, sonic S5 years of his life, and during those years ho thought there was no subject that caused him greater doubt or anxiety than the extent to which tsiir cherished possession of freedom of discussion should lie applied to those peoples, lie approacnod the subject from I [in point of view of an Liberal, bur. it a deep interest ill tho Welfare of those populations which were in any way brought into contact with the. British Umpire constituted an Oriental Liberal, he would lay claim to that tide. During many years he did whatever little whs in hipower lo prevent, the editors of vernacular papers horn committing journal'slic filicide, tic conkl 'iot say upon the whole that his endeavours were very successful. Mr J)\ Ward (Svdney Daily Telegraph) said lie thought that tlio history of Australia showed the vj.lue of the British command of the eeiis. For one hundred years the roads of Australia had been as safe as the streets of London, but would this last? The groat empty continent of Australia was a. terrible temptation, and, in his opinion, it was the duty of the outlying portions of the Empire to do their part in the support of Empire. Australia was willing to accept the policy of the naval experts of thi.) country. Australia wanted the b'st policy and the highest attainable degree of cltieieuey.—(Applause.) Mr Alfred Lyttelton, M.F., contributed a stirring speech, and offered a notable suggestion. Ho said:—"! believe it is the case at present ihrt, when a colony offers a ship lo the Empire, that ship cannot be built, or equipped in the Dominion fvoui which it proceeds, and cannot, be manned or oflicered effectively in the Dominion from which it proceeds. My suggestion is that ths ship take her place as an ci;ual luiuing* ii.ll the ships of his .Majesty's navy, that _it should be named, svy, after tho Dominion which has produced it, and that the aspiration should bo that, it should Iw manned and officered ultimately by the citizens of the' Dominion which gave it.' 1 Mr (iwyiiue (London S.aiulardj. Mr Mainland Clark (Cape Times), Mr S. Banerji (Hcngalcu, Calcutta), and Mr L. 8. Amen' (London Times) continued tile discussion, which terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr M'Kenna.