IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15856, 30 August 1913, Page 9

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

NEED FOR ANOTHER CONFERENCE. . THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET. AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, August 29. Commenting on Imperial defence the Herald Bays :— Everyone welcomes the reopening of negotiations for holding an Imperial Defence Conference. The demand for a conference refits on three clear grounds :— 1. The colonial Ministers participating either in the 1909 or 1911 conferences are not now in power. 2. The whole international position lias, changed since 1909, necessitating a readjustment of policy. This is the real Teason why England has not adhered to the 1909 agreement. Australia now desires to know what the highest naval authorities consider necessary in order that Imperial interests in the Pacific shall be adequately protected. 3. A conference will clear the air in regard to the whole subject. That there is still need for the removal of misunderstandings is shown by the debate in the New Zealand Parliament. It does not seem to be recognised that the Australian unit is a portion of a great Imperial navy, and will be used for general Imperial purposes -whenever and wherever the occasion arises. Suggestions for the cooperation of New Zealand and Australia are in every sense consistent with that unity of purpose and control which were mentioned in the New Zealand Parliament.