IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10955, 25 April 1907, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph.— Copyright.) (Received April 25, 9.9 a.m.) LONDON, April 24. The newspapers welcome the prospect of voluntary co-operation of the Empire's forces. The Morning Post says Mr Haldnne's memorandum sounds a true note of Imperial statesmanship, seeking not to centralist: control, but rather unity of aim. > Tlie Times says the Admiralty has reah^ised the navy is made for the Empire, not the EmpiTe for the navy. It is important to recognise the national aspirations impelling Australia and Canada to insist on controlling their own forces ns the sea is tlie highway of the Empire. Common work in preparation, directed with a common object, and therefore regulated by common principles, wliich may be agreed upon by the- several Governments, is a method adaptable in naval equally with the military problem. In neither acse : is it incompatible, with unity o) control through, spontaneous action of the several Gbveritinehis When emergency arises. Tue M'qrnhig Leader declares that the •ecretariut will be a civil link of the Em. pire, and the Imperial staff a. military link, it is ensv td tee the advantages and equally easy the dangers «of 'both being overtrained. The real virtue must reside not in the organisation, but in the meh working it. While tlie spirit that made the Empire rcirtoms, the Empire will pot be wrecked. Reuter leains that, the suggestion tlmt General Botha intends to propote a fipocial Transvaal' force is incorrect. If any special defence force is organised, it will not be confined 'to one State, but will be common to the. wnole of South Africa. At the Imperial Conference Lord Tweed mouth explained that the Admiralty's one aim was to maintain the fiiet on a scale' ensuring retention of supremacy. He did not desire to press fulth3r contributions of men aiid money, but cordially welcomed tbe co-operation of the colonies in the form most agreeable to themselves. ; Whether they contributed or riot, the Admiralty would do"ltb bPst to secure them from over-sea attack. H* expressed the hope that the discussion would show it Was possible to satisfy both Australian and New Zealand views. The Admiralty was not opposed to the policy that Australia ' was particularly favored, but indicated a desire to retain control of local- Bhips. The Colonial representatives would be invited to confer separately the Admiralty, Mi* Deakin remarked that the Admiralty's attitude had been altered several times. He withheld his views on the general policy which Lord Tweedmouth '1 indicated until his speech was printed. He admitted that he personally desired to see the Australian naval subsidy diverted from the coffers of the AamiYaiiy and expended more acceptably in Atis* traliam docks or coaling facilities. He emphasised '< the desirability of '■'' Australian factories supplying ammunition, .fai. eluding big gun ammunition to the Squadrons in Australia, China, and India,'. n« abling the establishment of much larger factories t^an Jhe local supply would - warrant: :ji' ; ;' V-;''. Sir Joseph Ward, also declined to discuss, the general principle at present. He expressed a hope that the policy New Zealand desired would be carried out without impeding Australia's wishes. After , a renewal, of the discuwiibfi it - was deeide<*l to adjourh the question of naval defence till a. 'later sitting. The Conference adjourned till to-morrovf.