A BREEZY BERESFORD SPEECH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2902, 27 October 1909, Page 13

A BREEZY BERESFORD SPEECH.

i Sneaking at the opening of the Toronto Exhibition on August 30, Lord (Jharle^ Bercsford made ona of tho.v3 characterirtically stirring and vigorous speeches that have done so much tr, taring him not only popularity but criticism. He then paid: " We have arrived at a cri=is in our histoiy. We aim at no aggressive action or increa.-e of territory. We do not hold out threats to other nations. We wish to keep clear of all international disputes, but are determined to hold our own and to let all knowthat our unassailable supremacy must be kept. If the British EmpJro is to remain, it * must maintain its naval supremacy. Whilst we have been talking, other people have been acting. What is wan tod is a bold constructive policy, ibioad in its fcasis and Imperial in its objeot. The time for talking ie over ; th*» time frr action has begun. There must be a cr.rsfully-compikd, concise, and practical plan for defeating the enemies of the fleet if war is forced on i:s. The safety of ihe Empire must be put beyond' any possible doubt. Our supremacy at saa has been threatened- m language "that is unmistakable. In the near future this threat may become realHy. If the lesult of the London Conference produces an Imperial organisation for war in which the whole Empire tak^s part, it should preserve our supremacy intact. The latent resources of the Empire hav-p not been called on as yet to join in an organisation which to be effective must be l>ased on broad, national and Imperial lines, totally devoid of personal, party, cr selfish motives — an Imperial defpnee founded on the principles of the fi\o nations, one Union Jack, one Navy, one Army, one Thror.«."