CABLEGRAMS.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10351, 26 April 1911, Page 4

CABLEGRAMS.

IMPERIALISM.

SIR JOiSEPH WARD INTER:VIEiWEIDI THE POSITION! DEFIiNIEtD'. THE OVERSEA. DOMINIONS A VALUABLE AiSSIEiT WOtRITH PROTESTING. (Per United Press Association.) - (Received! 2'5-tli, 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 25/ Sii' Joseph Ward arrived; at London. Interviewed on the question of Imperial defence, ho emphasised the desii'a of all portions of the Empire to db their part. There was an impression in somo quarters thait his suggestion might in some way wtea.ken the local autonomy of various parts of tha Empire. Ho strongly o-ppos.td lessening the laeial powers of any portion; indeed he favoured increasing! ralther than diminishing. He Was"not oblivious to 1 the extraordinary protection all the overseas dominions had icoeivcd through the British taxpayers in vhei maintenance of a. powerful navy. At the same time he could not .shut hisi eyes to the facib tha* the marvellous growth and yearly increasing national value of the various portions of tho Empire necessitated a rte-view of the whole system _of ttontrol and organisation with a view of improving and strengthening it liiej'ondl tho present position. Sir Joseph Ward einiph.'isised that tho future will prove that the vsvs.t BJi'itifeli interests developing in the P'acifia will recjuire far more attention from a naval standpoint than appears neciessary id, preteent. Jvbv; ZeaJandea-s wero level headed and practical and in nowise jingoistic. They sharedl tlie desire that oil witliin tlio Eknpir'o should insure the per potuajtion of peaice. To that end tho IMjo-therland anid (ovlca'sm dominions would foe required to> be msidle so powerful that should any militaiy spirit arise elsewhere not dire> rerrogniticm of tho supreme power of the navy would mafae for peace 1. Thisi would bo incompatibly greaiter in finaiioial Value to the whole world ' th'aii tliio I'esnlt of trying conclusions against the Empire's na.vy and fall. Thd development of the Emph'e's navy to create such is admittedly a splendid position, and must encounter many rlifficiultics, Iwt at the conf even da such as had been summoned the difficulties equally with the advantages may fully and freely bo disciussied 1. Ho was convinced the ndv'ant-agea wonldl largely prcdominato. Wlia.t was Wanted was some ultimiiito scheme of increased strength up to tho point which would ensure that tho glowing interests of the sciaittei'ed Empire would Ira peacefully conserved, and in the evlent r>f war tha outcome jilaced beyond all i doubt. He vaid a tribkite to tinkecnoss of 'Ntw Zea.huidei Js/ iTnijici'isil sentiment and love of tho Mii'therland. Sir Joswpli Ward said he hoped tho I diftioultiea in tho way of Sir W. ( La-urier attending the amfeicii'-e Would bin overcome. His :iIV-4son«.-o would bo a calamity, lid dwelt upon the gratifying increase of Ni-w Zeal.ind's tnulc. Ho added thut "Now J Zealand tAnwU for old flsij.'. white country,, an invincible Imperial nav^', with adequate siha.ro in the responsibility for" extension of trade within tho Empire, and represent;'.tioii on an Imperial Council.