DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13941, 29 June 1909, Page 6

DEFENCE.

DEBATE AT PRKSS CONFERENCE

I'ro.s A.ssu'ialiuii-Uy Telegraph --Copyright LONDON, June IT. At the Press Conference, General French supported Mr Haldanc's idea of uniformity in military methods by means of a general staff, lie <hvclt on the importance of secrecy in war time, and appealed to the press to help. Air Temperley proposed a resolution that national defence for the Empire is the most urgent questica of the day. Mr William Stead n..-de an impassioned plea for peace, and declared that the press of the Empire should, above all, keep a civil tongue towards the rest of the world. It was very well for the Australian delegates to come and say that national defence was the most urgent question. The most urgent question for them is to fill Australia, with white people. Air McDonald (Toronto.) described .resolution as feckless, thewlcss, and pithless. Air Cunningham declared it a superfluity. Mr Fink expressed his hearty appreciation of British statesmanship. The meeting finally decided to put no resolution on record. ADDRESS BY LORD BERESFORD. DEFENCE OF TRADE ROUTES. LONDON, June 27. At the. closing' sitting of the Press Conference, Lord Charles Beresford. in dealing with the problem of how help should be given, ?aid, "Don't let us: be in too great a lmrry, and don't let us he too long.*' Defence should be of a kind that >t should be instantly able to he changed into attack. Standardisation was all important, whereby temporary exchanges of officers, men and ships should be possible -fjiroughouti the Empire. The weakest part of the present system is the defence of the' trade The volonies might undertake the duties of oversea repairing stations, which, owing to some mad infatuation, were being abandoned after large sums had been spent on them. 'The colonics must act in wartime under a great strategical bureau, which would be at the Admiralty, but which was not there now. The Empire had much leeway to make up, owing to deferred liabilities, but it was possible, if the question was regarded from, an Imtx>rial and national standpoint, to make it free from raint of party. The peoples of the nations loathe and detest war, and if the 'Empire was properly prepared there, would be no war. CANADIAN OPINION. Received 9.30 p.m., June 28th. LONDON, June 28. The Ottawa correspondent of the "•Times " reports that opinion in Canada is overwhelmingly on the line of Friday's decision of the Press Conference. A PRESS'SUGGESTION. Received 9.40 p.m.. June 2Sth. LONDON, June 28. The "Times," in describing the IVoss Conference as a memorable success, and commenting on the discussions on Imperial defence, suggests that inasmuch as battleships must act in concentration, ivhilc cruisers defend the Empire's communications, the assistance of the Dominions, as far as it consists of ships, might take the form of cruisers standardised and interchangeable with the Motherland's. This would embody and express organic unity of the Imperial' fleet much more effectively than battleships could perform the functions fhc\ are expected to do. ST. ANDREWS RIFLE CLUB. , The annual meeting in connection with the St. Andrews Defence Rifle Club was held in 4 he Public Hall on Friday evening, when the prizes won during ihe late .'hooting season were given out. Air R. H. Rhodes, who presented the prizes, said he considered that Rifle Clubs were doing excellent work in aiding in the defence of the Dominion, practically at their own expense, and he was glad to see the fine array of prizes that had been donated by wellwisliers of the Club. He .was one who believed in universal training on" the lines laid down by Air R. AlcNab, and while not agreeing with all the politics of the Premier, he considered he had done the right thing in ' offering a Dreadnought to the Mother Country. The following dc.nated prizes during the season: — Father Tubman, Alessrs R. H. Rhodes, C. Wederell, F. Wederell, P. Dix, M. Kennedv, P. Rvan, H. 13. Johnstone, D. Callaghan, J. R. Wederell, E. Burns, R. McNab, W. Wederell, Bower and Ferguson, G. South, D. Kennard, S. R. Turnbull, and a friend. The following are the names of the winners:—D. Callaghan (3), J. R. Wederell (3), J. Rae $). L. Rae (2), R, N. Tlawkes. E. Williams, R. Williams, H. B. Johnstone. G. Mellwriek, P. Dix, and W. Traves. Previous to the presentation of the prizes a progressive euchre tournament, was' held for prizes presented by Messrs R. J. Pugh and J. Foxon. The highest scores were made by Airs Cague and Air E. Burns, and the lowest by Airs Hubbard and Afr Wedenbohm. Air D. Callaghan, president of the Club, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the .donors.of prizes and to Air Rhodes for presenting th«» prizes, after which refreshments were handed loiind, and the gathering was brought to a close about II o'clock. .