DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

Otago Witness, Issue 3084, 23 April 1913, Page 27

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

VALUABLE INFORMATION. LONDON, April 17. . In the course of an interview the Hon. J. Allen stated that he would start for Canada to-day. The War Office had been most sympathetic;'and had given him the best advice concerning an expeditionary force. He had also discussed with the Admiralty Committee on Imperial Defence the question of New Zealand’s adoption of a permanent policy of naval defence. The information acquired had been of, the greatest value, pointing out to the New Zealand Government what policy ought to be adopted. The ideal was that rsew Zealand's policy should be co-ordinated with that of the Admiralty and Australia. Mr Allen added that he found that everyone wanted closer relations between the various parts of the Empire, but he did not think that everyone here understood the situation as it presented itself to the New Zealander and the Australian. It was a great pity that more Imperial statesmen could not visit New Zealand and Australia. THE CRUISER SYDNEY. LONDON, April 17. The cruiser Sydney, during her trial trips at Glasgow, averaged 25.7 knots an hemr. THE TERRITORIALS. LONDON, April 17. In the House of Commons the Minister of War (Colonel Seely) said it was manifestly, impossible for the Territorials a few days after mobilisation to overcofhe an organised invasion of 70,000 trained troops. Such an invasion, however, was impossible while their naval supremacy existed. The Territorials would be able to deal with 70,000 raiders. April 18. During the Army debate in the House of Lords, Lord Crewe said the shortage in the Territorials was grave, but not serious enough for a heroic remedy. The Government must see what steps were possible, on a voluntary basis, to enable the margin of safety to be properly maintained. Lord Lansdowne confessed that he was perplexed with the Government’s utterances. He advocated physical training in schools. In the House of Lords Lord Herschel said the Government did not purpose to introduce compulsory military training at once, but when the present inquiries were concluded it would not shrink from any steps deemed necessary for the public safety. April 19. Lord Esher has resigned the chairmanship of the London branch of the Territorial Association, and Field-marshal Nicholson succeeds him. The branch adopted a resolution in favour of the adoption of some system for the increase of the Territorials. Mr Hohhouse, speaking at Bristol, denied that there was any necessity fox’ compulsory service, and said that Britain had no commitments of any sort with Continental nations. The action of the dominions had enormously reduced the possibility of a call upon the Motherland. LORD ROBERTS AT LEEDS. LONDON, April 19. Lord Roberts had an extraordinary reception at Leeds. Three thousand people welcomed him at the Town Hall and 30,C00 at Victoria square, where his speech was kinematographed on a huge screen. Lord Roberts said that the reception was a sign of a great revolution of public opinion. Seven months earlier it seemed beyond human power to rouse the country from its torpor. The youth of the nation .had to wade through politicians forming the Cabinet, who were mostly blind to what was necessary. In Roman history the word conscription was a badge of honour. He compared the proposed citizens’ army with the Continental system, and declared that it was unfair and unpatriotic to describe national service as slavery or blood tax. It would be exclusively for homo defence and w’ould never be required to deal with strikers. The Hon. Arthur Lawley seconded the resolution in favour of conscription, which was carried with enthusiasm. Mr Lawley said that when Canada, New Zealand, and Australia sought to strengthen their naval and military forces, it was not in,.a spirit of militarism or aggrandisement, but in order that when England’s voice was raised in the councils of the nations she might be enabled to insist on peace. IMPERIAL AIR FLEET. LONDON, April 19. Sections of a new airship from the Astra works, in France, are being erected at Farnborough. It will be 360 horsepower and will have a capacity of 350,000 cubic feet. The Imperial Air Fleet Committee, which has been offered Mr Hamel’s monoplane as a gift from New Zealand* has accepted it as the first unit of an Imperial air fleet. The Standard has inaugurated a public subscription towards the scheme. Mr William Coward has subscribed £2OO, and has guaranteed £6OO, and Sir Joseph Ward and Lord Desbcrough have given generous subscriptions.

COLONIAL CO-OPERATION. LONDON, April 20. The Minister of War (Colonel Seely), addressing the Territorial Association at Birmingham, said the Oversea Dominions were all advancing in their efficiency and with the determination to render their military and naval help effective by developing Elicit plans before the hour of danger.