THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY. May 1, 1911. IMPERIAL UNITY.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13094, 1 May 1911, Page 2

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY. May 1, 1911. IMPERIAL UNITY.

New Zealand has a particular interest in the progress of the movement which has for its object the federation of tho Empire in a tangible union, as its present advanced stage is mainly the result of the efforts of our own Government. At the Imperial Conference Sir Joseph Ward will move, on behalf of New Zoalaiid, a resolution affirming the desirability of setting up an Imperial Council as a permanent organisation to act largely in an advisory capacity in matters of Imperial concern. The mainspring of tho movement is'the common need of defence against aggression, and chiefly of naval defence, and Sir Joseph Ward's idea is the xiltimate creation of an Imperial two-Power standard, to the upkeep of which the Dominions would contribute according to their resources. "The question for consideration," he said in a speech at Sydney early in March, "is whether the time has not arrived, for an altered policy so as to ensure the permanent maintenance of tho twoPower standard which, in view of the vast interests to be protected, is absolutely necessary. Britain, in calling her fleets nearer home, leaves the overseas Dominion to some extent exposed." Canada and Australia are alive to the danger they are thus exposed to, and are adopting their own means to prepare for it. The means is heroic no -doubt, but whether local navies can be successfully maintained by young countries which have not completed their internal development, and which are not yet carrying, by many millions, the thriving population they could support, is open to serious question. Axlmiral Henderson's report presented recently to'the Commonwealth Government, proves that if Australia intends to develop her naval policy to the point he recommends as ensuring reasonable effectiveness, she has taken upon herself a terrible burden. Canada will be in a worse position as regards expenditure, owing to her necessity of maintaining two fleets. These dominions, while providing their own measure?, for de-

fence by land and sea, preserve perfect autonomy in regard to their employment. It is difficult to see how1 such an arrangement can endure in an Empire united by such tios as ours. In the event of a great conflagration it would speedily become Impossible. Colonial naval units must, as Admiral Henderson insists, form part of a great Imperial fleet, and conform in all things with an Imperial standard. In time of peace they may remain under the control of their own defence authorities, but when required for actual service they must be at the sole disposal of the Admiralty. Sir Joseph Ward would ensure unity of defence policy, both naval and military, throughout the Empire by the creation of an Imperial Council or Parliament of Defence, its purpose being to create a partnership in the protection of the Empire. The details of the scheme have not yet been disclosed, but it is clear that immense powers would be entrusted to this organisation . It may be, as Sir Joseph Ward allows, that ihe time is riot yet ripe fOr ihe creation of such an authority, but it seems that Imperial defence problems can eventually only lie solved in some such way. In tho meantime much may be done to promote the growth of an Imperial policy in all matters affecting the Empire generally by the development of the Imperial Conference and the existing secretariat, and in this direction the forthcoming gathering of statesmen of the Empire will produce results of the utmost importance.