IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6089, 28 January 1898, Page 3

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

NEW SOUTH WALES ANNIVERSARY. GENERAL GRANT'S VIEWS. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Beeeived Jan. 18, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 27. A banquet in honour of Anniversary Day was held by New South Wales colonists at the Hotel Cecil. Sir Saul Samuel presided. The company included a number of leading colonists and representatives of colonial firms. Lieutenant- General Sir Robert Grant, speaking as president of the Colonial Defence Committee, said that it was essential as a naval basis that the Empire should be adequately garrisoned imperially and locally, so as to ensure freedom of action for tbe navy. The proper organisation of the colonial forces was a most important matter. The organisation in the Australasian colonies Tfaa yearly improving, «rxl had gone a long way towards establialiiug a force sufficient for the defence of the colonies. It was desirable that an Australasian brigade should always be ready to assist the Imperial forces in the event o;f necessity arising. He believed that the colonies would always be ready to share the responsibilities of the Empire. Th« military officers were scarcely sufficiently trained in Australasia. They required instruction at a military academy similar to that at Kingston, in Canada. Not more men, but better organisation was the necessity of the hour. Sir Saul Samuel, in proposing the toast of New South Wales, referred to the evidences of the progress of the colony, and dwelt upon the loyalty and willingness or' the colonial military forces to assist in the defence of the* Empire. Sir James Garrick proposed the health of the Chairman, and eulogised Sir Saul Samuel's career. Beeeived Jan. 28, 11.20 a.m. Lord Roberts, speaking at Dublin, strongly urged the necessity of being prepared for war. He said that he was aware of the terrible result of not being prepared.