IMPERIAL DEFENCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2232, 10 December 1896, Page 15

IMPERIAL DEFENCES.

London, December 4. The Duke of Devonshire, Lord President of the Council, in the course of his speech before the British Empire League, said that the Admiralty had selected ports of defence for ooaling, refitting, and repairing stations which were absolutely secure, and where, if there was any liability of attack, resources for resistance were co-existent. The Government, he said, hold it to be the duty of the colonies to provide fixed defences and troops. Defence works without adequate troops were useless and delusive. He said that it was not necessary to approach the Imperial Government until the commercial side of the. league had proved useful in paving the way for a better understanding with the colonies. The Admiralty, he added, would maintain Britain's supremacy at sea and protect the oolonies from any organised invasion, but would olaim the disposal of all troops, not limiting their action to the immediate vicinity when it was found that a particular spot was better defended than others placed at a distance. The colonies must repel all raids on commercial ports on a distinct naval baßis. Sir W. B. Perceval said he hoped that the difficulty of a commercial union would be overcome. Sir Charles Tupper expressed himself delighted at Victoria favouring the sugges- '• tion for a conference to discuss the question. J The press generally support the holding of I a colonial conference