IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 9

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

CO-OPERATION OF DOMINIONS. SUBJECT FOR OCTOBER CONFERENCE, (Fret* Aisodatlon —By Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, April 10. (Received April 11, at 11.5 *p-m.) Already there are indications that a more satisfactory basis of ImepnaJ defence will be one of the most outstanding subjects at the ■ Imperial Conference. It is understood that tne renewal of Sir Berkeley Milnes recent visit to Australia House is connected with this question, which will be discussed in detail. Major General Sir Frederick Sykes in the Army Quarterly says: ; “Locarno has again shown the weakness of Imperial foreign policy and defence. The Locarno hope cannot be realised without a concerted Imperial mandate in foreign policy and definite steps towards disarmament. He urges a stronger Imperial defence scheme as the soundest policy in British interests as a basis for the reduction of armaments and the best deterrent for war. There must be a systematic and continuous review instead of a spasmodic reference to the dominions. Sir Frederick Sykes suggests the creation of a supreme defence staff, under the presidency of the Prime Minister, charged with the consolidation and combination of the three arms of Imperial defence, ensuring touch with the dominions and security with minimum forces at the lowest cost, ultimately taking over the staff and adinistrative duties and forming the backbone of a Defence Council of the Ministry of Defence.”—A and N.Z. Cable.