DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 8

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

INTERCHANGE OF OFFICERS,

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 18. Speaking at tho Liberal-Colonial Club. Lord Luoas (Under-Secretary (or War) described the ciforte that were being made to secure a homogeneous Imperial army. Thirty .Imperial officers wcro now serving in Australia, New Zealand, imd Canada', while 12 colonial oftkors were in Great

Britain. It was possible that a Canadian

battalion would be present at the nexl . British manccuvres. The military forces of the Kmpiro now totalled almost a - million and a-quarter.. The Bluo Books dealing with tho proceedings of tho Imperial Defence Conference have been published. VALUE OF COMPULSORY TRAINING. LONDON, November 18. Speaking at the Colonial Institute, General Sir Edward Hntton raid that the compulsory system, of military training proposed by tho Australian Government bad solved tho problem, of defence, and was an cxamplo not only to sister nations, but to tho-Motherland. THE NAVY. AN EXPERTS VIEW. LONDON, November 18.' Speaking at the Society of Arts, Sir William While (formerly Chief Constructor to tho Admiralty) said that it was satisfactory to noto that wiser counsels were again prevailing at the Admiralty, aJid that tho necessity for employing vessels of many clasfes in the Imperial navy was being recognised. He hoped that the overseas contributions to naval defence Would not be limited to tho provision of ships, but would include personal servioe.

THE AUSTRALIAN SCHEME.

MELBOURNE, November 19.

The naval policy under the agreement reached at the recent Imperial Defcnco Conference was adopted by lira House. Tlio necessary Loan Bill will lie introduced within a fortnight. -The. Government docs not", think that any money is required this year. The keel of the ndw cruiser will bo laid early next year, and the first instalment of money is not needed'till June."'" ' ' ' . ; ■

Tho Admiralty was willing to undertake the financial side of the (scheme for tho Government, but it was thought desirable not to proceed >n that way.

ADMIRAL FISHER'S SUCCESSOR. LONDON, November 18.

Several newspapers state that Admiral Sir Arthur WiUon has succeeded Admiral Ldi'd Fiste 111 tlw head of tbe'Admirally.