IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10957, 27 April 1907, Page 4

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

[Press Assn. — By Telegraph. — Copyright.) LONDON, April 26. On Thursday the Conference unanimously adopted Australia's resolution m reference to emigration. At- the Conference Lord Twecdmouth on Tuesday asked the colonies to trust the Admiralty to secure the naval defence of the Empire m the future as m the past. Tliey would welcome the colonies taking some leading part. The Admiralty, claimed to have taken charge of strategic and coal questions^ commanded the naval forces and the distribution of ships so as best to resist attacks and to defend the Empire. They wished the colonies to .give all possible assistance, but they did not come to them as beggars. The total colonial subsidies were £328,000. The Government were ready to meet the contributors m a liberal, conciliatory manner, and did not wish to insist that contributions should be necessarily m money. They recognised the great difference between the conditions m the various colonies, and were quiteready to enter into any arrangements the colonies might deem advantageous to themselves and the. navy. He recognised tlie natural desire of the autonomous colonies to have a more particular share m providing for tho naval defence of the Empire. If unity of the command and direction of the fleet were maintained, the Government were ready to consider a modification of the existing agreements, if the colonies would provide for a local 'service. In the Imperial squadrons the smaller vessels would be useful against possible raiders, or could co-operate with the squadrons. Tlie colonies should also equip and maintain docks and fitting establishments, wluch would be of great assistance. The provision of coaling facilities and naval stores' would ajso be useful. It would bo an enormous advantage to find well-trained men m the colonies. Small .flotillas would be an admirable means' of coast defence. , Sir Joseph Ward said New Zealand regarded the Admiralty as the custodians of the navy. He indicated that he would j cordially co-operate with Mr Deakin m I helpitig the Commonwealth to attain its desires regarding naval defence. News Zealand's heavy expenditure on works of; development rendered it impossible for her to •undertake heavy financial responsibilities for local defence. While prepared to contribute more than £40,000, she was willing to expend part m the manning of the ships. He admitted that m war time the whole of the strategical work and the dispositions of the ships would be under the Admiralty.-' Mr Manning dwelt on the advisability of some system of deferred pay for colonial seamen, m order to meet the difficulties at present under the dual -system operating on some. warships. _- Lord Tweedmouth remarked that it was impossible to admit an unlimited number of men to the. naval service. He ldnted tliat m future there would be greater concentration of ships m Australian waters. If not so frequently seen on the station, they would be bigger vessels.