IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10640, 8 May 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Un’ied Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copryight. 'London, May T. The Unionist members of the House of Commons have app_ointed|a committee to promote aviation and to secure a debate on the subject in the Commons at an early date. The Daily Telegraph states that the highest Imperial interests are being endangered owing to the _ increasing absorption of British MinisterSyin internal politics, . The oversea States are concentrating their attention on defence, and their public men are necessarily nnfamiliar with technical questions, resulting in individual sections of the Empire blindly searching for foundations whereon to base a policy consistent with their own needs and permanent co-operation to safeguard the Empire. Even Kaw Zealand was intent on developing a local policy, and was reported to be anxious to retain her gift battleship ;in the Pacific. Every discussion of naval problems reveals the absence of unity between the Admiralty and the overseas Dominions. The only remedy was a conference. Jrinstead of dealing with Mr Borden alone, last summer, there should have been an Empire conclave. The Telegraph urges an immediate Imperial Conference.