DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15892, 11 October 1913, Page 9

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

SLR WILFRID LAURIER'S POLICY,

LOCAL AUTONOMY ESSENTIAL.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

QUEBEC, October 9,

Referring to the naval question Sir Wilfrid Laurier said that at all tho four Imperial conferences that he haM attended a consistent attitude had been maintained by him. Canada would attend to her own defence on sea and on land according as her wealth permitted. Tho Empire could only live by a policy of local autonomy. When Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa had fleets of their own they could do a great deal for.. 1 the peace of the world.

PACIFIC DEFENCE.

COMMENT BY THE TIMES,

AUSTRALIAN ACTION CON-

DEMNED,

IMMEDIATE CONFERENCE BI-

PRACTICABLE,

(Times-Sydney Sun Special Cables.)

LONDON, October. 9.

The Times says editorially, alter a, commendatory reference to Sydney's thuaiafitic welcome to the Australian fleet, that the Australians have taken the tasks of nationhood seriously, and they now see their efforts embodied in the firm, grey outlines of their own ships. The problem of maintaining the adequate security of the Pacific is one which Australia shares with Canada and New Zealand as well as with Great Britain. It is manifest that no dominion can face the task singlehanded, and it is equally manifest that a joint provision requires a thorough consultation and also a policy of give-arid-take. For these reasons The Times strongly supports the summoning of a conference to deal with defence in the Pacific. There is little doubt that such a conference will be held sooner or later, but the obvious conditions of the moment make it impracticable for any British Minister to undertake a long voyago in the present state of Home politics. It is also probable that, Canada may desire to postpone a conference until her own parliamentary situation is less equivocal, while in South Africa General Botha can hardly attend in the thick of the political controversies with which tho Union is at present occupied. On the other hand, those' people are very ill-informed who declare that either the British or any other Government does not desire to see a conference realised aa soon as circumstances permit.

• MR CHURCHILL AT DUNDEE. LONDON, October 10. (Received Oct. 10, at 10.30 p.m.) Mr Churchill addressed a meeting of Liberal women at Dundee, and an openair meeting was held in the outskirts of the town. A dozen suffragists were ejected from the first meeting, when quiet was restored. He referred to the Liberal perturbations and the growth of naval expenditure, but, he said, a serious effort was required to make up for lost time in order to reach a position in which the Empire would be beyond danger. While developments in the British navy had proceeded, the relations with Germany had continually improved, and were now thoroughly satisfactory. There was more danger of illwill through panic- than in the caJm .assurance of strength.

PROPOSED IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. MELBOURNE, October 10. (Received Oct. 10, at 10.30 p.m.) In the House Mr Cook, in reply to a question, stated that the Government had requested the Imperial Government to convene a conference of representatives of the dominions and the United Kingdom to disImperial questions generally, but primarily defence. He added that he had no official information that the proposed Defence Conference had been abandoned.