IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13992, 30 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. COST TO NKW ZEALAND. Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, August 28 . Britain contributes £250,01)0 annually to tlie Commonwealth fleet. It is expected that tlio ■Commonwealth will, raise a naval loan requiring £500,000 annually in interest, and sinking fund. If New Zealand floats a loan it will require £150,000 annually in interest and sinking fund, besides the contribution of £IOO,OOO as heretofore. The •■Pall Mall Gazette" heartily congratulates the Conference upon the splendid outcome of its labours. ft says that the new scheme is a national imperial asset of immense value, and with this programme the most despondent among us need not despair of the future of the British Empire. The '-Daily News" doiihis the utility of the scattered forces of the Empire. The real struggle will be prima rly. for the command of the North :< and the Channel. The fleets concentrated In the Pacific will be of no service, and that task will be equally difficult. It. understands, however, that the small vessels located in New Zealand will form part of the China-, squadron.

CANADA AND AUSTRALIA. COXCRATULATORY COMMENT. , LONDON, August 27. Mr Asquith, speaking with reference to Canada's-proposal, said that according to the sum available,'a.start would be made with the Bristol type of cruisers and destroyers of the improved river class, Part would be stationed in the Atlantic sea-board and part in the Pacific. In accordance with previous arrangements, Canada had undertaken the maintenance of dockyards-at Halifax and Esquimnlt, and it was part of the arrangement proposed with the Australian representatives that the Cnminpnwealth should eventually undertake the maintenance of a dockyard-at. Sydney. He hoped that all -material documents relating to tlie conference would be laid before Parliament before the end of the session. (Cheers.) ' The "Times" says that public opinion will do justice to the wisdom, tact, and foresight wherewith the Admiralty and War Office approached n difficult and complex task. The results of the conference will have marked a definite advance in the organisation of the Empire's defence. The "Times" welcomes particularly the proposal to create a Pacific squadron. Tlie projected arrangements, besides being suitable for present conditions, are capable of" logical systematic, expansion in accordance with that, idea of free cooperation between kindred nations owing allegiance to one Crown which all the mental and moral strength of Imperial statesmanship is now set. to realise. Tlie proposals mark the opening of a new period of Imperial history. The "Dailv Mail," the "Telegraph" the "Chronicle," and the •" Standard" are equally congratulatory.

GERAIAN PRESS COMAIENT. Received 5.5 p.m.. August 29th. BERLIN, August 2*. The newspaper " Berliner Tageblatt." commenting on Afr Asquith's defence statement that .the debates in the overseas parliaments regerding the Defence Conference proposals wi.ll he excited and lengthy, and that objections will be raised to .the new programme. It denies that there is any cause for particular anxiety in Germany regarding the reorganisation of the .British Imperial defences, and adds: "Britain's turning to her colonies for assistance is a symptom of exhaustion." The f ' Lokalanzeiger" 'nterprets Afr Asquith's reference to the approaching en-operation between the dominions and the Alotherland as an intention to parade Britain's power hefore the eyes- of foreign countries.. AIR. AIASSEY'S VIEWS, Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 29. The views of the/Leader of the Opposition (Air Alussey) .in regard to the agreement arrived at by the Defence Conference (as announced by Air Asquith) were stated to a "Herald" representative to-day. ""The cable message, dealing with Afr Asquith's statement,", said Air Alassey, "is so fragmentary that it -is somewhat difficult to express an opinion thereon. f must say, however, that so far as it is possible to judge of what has been done, I am somewhat disappointed. In the first place I understood that the whole, question of defence of overseas dominions of the Empire would be dealt with. The cable message, however, is singularly pilent in regard, to the defence of harbours or even the proposed methods of the ordinary land defence of New Zealand. There is not a word for instance about national training in regard to which so much interest is taken in this eoiintry and in our Parliament. I hope that those matters have not been overlooked because, there arc many people—and I am one—who think that they are of even more importance than the contribution of a battleship to the British .Navv, Apparently from what Mr Asquith savs the ii'iea of the from New Zealand has been departed from, and instead, we are to provide a. cruiser which will stationed in the China seas. T hardly think this, will satisfy the people of New Zealand or that 'tliev will receive, much benefit therefroni. exeent from the general strengthening, of the Pacif"-. section of *'•<> y., vv which is evidently intended. If, when +he offer were unule to the Imperial Government it had been not an "offer of a battleship but one of an nrmoored cruiser to be stationed in the Far East, would there have been such a chorus of annroval ? Afv decided opinion is that'it would not have been so. and 1 have no doubt that Parliament will consider the matter verv carefully before, agreeing to, what is MOW pr.niQS'Hl." Air Alassey expressed regret tlct some nrran" , eme»t had not been made hv whi'-h New Zealand might he able to work, with Australia in Ihe matter of naval defem-e. and be hoped that, even yet something might lie done .n that" respect»