IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144050, 20 March 1913, Page 3

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE QUESTION OF NAVIES". CLOSER UNION IN FUTURE. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, March 19. At a discussion at the Colonial Institute on Viscount Hythe’s paper on Imperial defence, Mr. Holman justified tho policy of an Australian navy. Ho hoped it would be the forerunner of a Pacific fleet. Lord Selborne, who presided, said that when the different parts of the Empire realised the existence of a common purpose justifying common action they would find the requisite organisation. He advised the Motherland not to attempt to set a pace beyond the rate the Dominions, were prepared to go. ■ The Hon. Jas. Allen said that Australia had nothing on her mind except Imperialism. She was wise enough to know that she was powerless without the help of tho Motherland. No Dominion was entitled to ask for a voice in the councils of the Empire until it had progressed in' development, but the day must come when they would bo admitted to England's executive council, The sooner it came the sooner would Imperial preference be reached. BRITAIN’S AEROPLANES. (Received March 20, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. Colonel Seely, in the House of Commons, said tho War Office proposed to establish seven squadrons of eighteen aeroplanes each. They would not require Zeppelins, because the army would be an expeditionary one. Britain possessed tho best aeroplanes in the world. One biplane this week averaged over 91 miles an hour. He regretted the territorials were below strength. He did not fear an overwhelming invasion; therefore it would not be necessary to ask tho country to fill tho sixteen per cent, deficiency. The Imperial Defence Committee would shortly consider tho whole question. Ho announced that Mr. Balfour had accepted Mr. Asquith’s invitation to join the committee.