IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10525, 11 December 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

AN AUSTRALIAN VIEW.

United Press Association. —By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.

Melbourne, December 10, The Argus says: “Memorable in the history of the Empire would be the scene in tiie Canadian Commons when Mr Borden declared the naval policy. It marks an important forward step towards the closer cooperation of the Motherland and the Dominions in Imperial defence. Although Canada’s immediate policy differs from ours in form, it is essentially one in spirit. More notable from an Imperial standpoint than Canada’s generous offer is the Motherland’s concession of the principle that such help must mean ultimate partnership in determining the foreign policy of the Empire. Sooner or later the fifteen millions of white British subjects of the outer Empire will have a proportionate voice in regulating international relations and the external defence arrangements of the Empire. ’ ’

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S VIEWS,

Fremantle, December 10.

Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed aboard the Mongolia, said Canada’s offer was a good one on sentimental grounds. The condition that Canada should have represenation on the Imperial Defence Council Jyvas a natural corollary of such an offer. If the Dominion were going to take a fair share of defence, they should have a seat on the Council. Overseas representatives could not expect to exercise a very powerful influence, as the population of the Dominions was only 15,000,000, compared with 45,000,000 in the Old Country. Within a quarter of a century the Dominions would have more than made up the deficit. Then they would naturally expect a much bigger representation, provided they were shouldering a fair share of Imperial burdens.