IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10736, 29 August 1913, Page 8

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received August 29, 1 p m Sydney, August 29. The Herald, commenting on Imperial defence, says everyone welcomes the reopening of negotiations for holding an Imperial Conference. The demand for the conference rests on three clear grounds: Firstly, the Colonial Ministers participating in the 1909 or 1911 Conference are not now in powersecondly, the whole international position has changed since 1909, necessitating a readjustment of policy. This is the reason why England did not adhere to the 1909 agreement with Australia, and desires to know what the highest naval authorities consider necessary in order that Imperial interests -in the Pacific may he adequately protected; thirdly, the Conference will clear the air in regard to the whole subject. That there is still need for removal of misunderstandings is shown by the debate in ths New Zealand Parliament. It dees not seem to he recognised that the Australian unit is a portion of the great Imperial Navy, and will be need for general Imperial purposes whenever and wherever the occasion arises. The suggestions for co-operating with New Zealand and Australia were in every sense consistent with that unity for the purpose of control which was mentioned in the New Zealand Parliament. ,