IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8796, 25 April 1907, Page 2

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Press Association—Copyright. ; . London, April 24.

Mr Haldane, addressing the Conference, urged the desirability of organisation of the military fo-ccs of the Empire upon a broad not rigid pattern for common purposes. Ho suggested that the newly created General Staff should bo given an Imperial charter, and be at the disposition of all local Governments or Commanders-in-Chief, furnishing advice and supplying intelligence of expert descriptions. He did not desire | that such staff should in the slightest degree suggest that the autonomous colonies must accept any direction from Home in military matters, but that trained advice would be at their disposal. Mr Haldane furnished the Conference with papers dealing with the strategical conditions of the Empire from a military standpoint, emphasising the three great principles, fust the obligation of self-governing colonics to provide their own local security; secondly, the duty of arranging for mutual assistance in case of supremo common nted; thirdly, the necessity of maintaining our sea supremacy. Britain was organising a territorial army for home defence, also an expeditionary striking force, naval and military, designed to assist any part of the Empire. He emphasized the importance of assimilating the war organisation throughout the Empire, and the adoption of a uniform system to obtain ordinance stores through the War Office. The training of officers was very important. Britain is trying to create a reserve of officers, and if such a reserve is made Imperial it will bo a great additional security to the Empire. The British general staff will cordially interchange with the colonial staffs, thus creating an Imperial School of Military, though imbued with the same traditions and accustomed to the same strategical problems.

Replying to Mr Borden, Mr Haldane said the general staff would not bo an independent authority exercising control throughout the Empire, but a training school which would lend exports to local general staffs and receive assistance from colonial general staffs. He hoped the colonies would send experts to confer with the general staff in order to immediately begin executing the broad principle his resolution affirmed.

Mr Borden viewed the scheme favorably. Mr Deakin complimented Mr Halclane on his luminous exposition and strongly urged the publishing of the speech in its entirety. He recognised Mr Haldane'a desire not to infringe on the power of Colonial Governments and Legislatures, and that tho general staff was only meant to offer expert and mature advice. He believed that any proposal to extend the operations of the general staff which permitted the colonios to participate would be heartily welcomed. Australia fully accepted the principle of interchangeability of weapons. He approved the principle of interchange of units but doubted its practicability for Australia owing to its great distance and the smallnes3 of tho permanent force. Australia desired extended interchange of officers, especially ot higher standing than those hitherto sent. The relative rank of officers in tho outer and inner parts of the Empire required consideration. Australia was envious of Canada's progress with military schools. Australia felt the weakness of her system of officers and owing to local conditions it would bo very difficult to maintain a sufficient regular supply of entrants to local military colleges. Ho noted that experts advised colonial Governments to arrange for the local manufacture of war material and stores rather than rely on the United Kingdom resources, and he hoped the Admiralty would encourage colonial ammunition factories by using their products. Australia was driven to purchase supplies from private firms because she was unable to rely on the War Office. He thought the colonies ought to be able to rely on securing the fulfilment of a reasonable proportion of their requirements. Sir Joseph Ward supported voluntary co-operation of the colonial Governments and the general staff. He thought it possible to secure a stronger and better system of general Imperial defence. The high ideal was to try to assimilate the Empire's war organisation. He agreed with the suggestion to obtain war stores and ammunition generally through the War Office, if it was understood that the colonies had the right to make ammunition if they were able. He recognised the importance of using the same kinds of arms and ammunition. He believed New Zealand would arrange to interchange units and officers, If a volunteer company came to England for purposes of interchange the New Zealand Government would probably be willing to pay a reasonable sum. New Zealand was always willing for her volunteers to assist the Motherland in the event of troubles arising, both in men or money, and ready to do its share in tho defence of any part of the world, but she wanted to keep clear of the possibility of being drawn into Continental troubles. We want a distinct lino of demoeration between responsibility we accept of our free will and responsibility that may be placed upon us without having an opportunity of conference or discussion. Thousands were ready to volunteer to fight oversea.

General Botha thought the position of tho Transvaal would be hazardous if the Imperial troops wore withdrawn. Lord Tweedmouth explained the general principles influencing the Admiralty in defence of the Empire, especially insisting on the necessity of unity of control of the fleet. -London, ipril 24 In the House of Commons Mr Haldane's Territorial Forces Bill was read a second time by a large majority. Sir H. Campboll-Bannerman in reply to Mr H. Cos said Britain's obligation to defend tho whole Empire is independent of any written agreement or treaty. Judging from past experience there seems no doubt that tho colonies recognise their obligation to assist in defence of the Empire as a whole. Mr Haldane remarked in connection with the Territorial Forces Bill, that he hoped to carry out the reconstruction o! fortresses without hurry before it comes to war and before fortresses are required.

Approval by the Press

t Newspapers welcome the prospect of the voluntary co-operation of , the Empire's forces. The Morning Post says Mr Haldane's memorandum sounds the true note of Imperial statesmanship, seeking hot centralised 1 control, but rather unity of aim. It is time the Admiralty realised that i the navy is made for the .Empire, not the Empire for the navy. It is as important to recognise the national aspirations impelling Australia and Canada to insist on controlling their own forces as that the ■ sea is the highway of the Empire. The common fault in preparation directed to a common object, and' therefore regulated by common principles which may be agreed upon by several. Governments, is the nonrecognition of the : fact that "the method is adaptable to the naval equally as well as the military problem. In neither case is it incompatible with unity of "control •through the spontaneous action of tho several Governments when • an emergency arises. The Morning Leader declares tho Secretariat will be the civil link of Empire, and . the Imperial Staff the military lirjk. It is easy', to seo ■ the advantages, and. equally easy to recognise the dangers, both being real. Virtue must reside, not in organisation, but in the men working it. While the spirit that made the Empire remains the Empire will not bo wrecked. Renter's Agency learns that the suggestion that Botha i intends to propose a "special Transvaal force is incorrect. If any special defence force is organised it is not to be confined to one State, but common to the whole of South Africa. At the Conferenca Lord Tweed - mouth explained that the Admiralty's one aim was to maintain the fleet on [ a scale ensuring tho retention of i supremacy, and it did not desire to pross for further contributions of men or money. He cordially welcomed the co-oporation of tho Colonies in the form most agreeable to themselves, and, whether they contributed or not, the Admiralty would do its best to secure them ; from over-sea attack. Ho expressed the hope that the ■ discussion would show that it was possiplo to satisfy both Australian and New Zealand views. ' The Admiralty was not op«

posd to the policy Arstralia rpafticularly|favoured; but he indicated a desire to retain c;v trol of local ships and colonial representatives were invited to confer separately with the Admiralty. Mr Deakin remarked that the Admiralty's attitude had been altered sevreal times. He withhold his views on the genoral policy which Lord Tweedmouth indicated until the speech had been printed. He admitted that personally he desired to see the Australian naval subsidy diverted from the coffers of the Admiralty and expended more acceptably on Australian docks or coaling facilities. He emphasised tho desirability of Australian factories supplying ammunition, including big gun ammunition to the squadrons in Australasia, China, and India, enabling the establishment of much larger factories than tho local supply would warrant. Sir Joseph Ward also declined to disoass the general principle at present, and expressed the hope that the policy • New Zealand desired would be carriend out without impeding Australia's wishes. After a renewal of the discussion, it was decided to adjourn the question of naval defenco till a later meeting.

The Conference adjourned till to> morrow.

Sir John Forrest and Mr Ewing express gratificaitoa at the Defence resolution carried at the Conference. _