BRITAIN AND AUSTRALIA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 7 September 1908, Page 5

BRITAIN AND AUSTRALIA.

THE "TIMES" AND MR DEAKIN

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

Received Sept. 7, 12.31 a.m.

LONDON, Sept. 6

The "Times" remarking on the departure of Lord Northcote says that Mr Deakin has spoken admirably for the Empire, and replies to comments made by a section of the American press. It cannot be too widely realised that naval supremacy "whereon depends the life of the Empire, and every separate parts, means supremacy in all waters of the world, and that supremacy we are determined to maintain, and though we tiust, as the younger Britains develop they will reinforce the Empire's naval power with ships and men. We cannot allow that power to decline, because at present its burden falls almost en« tirely upon ourselves Australia's passionate desire for racial purity has led some sections of the Australian opinion to take a mistaken view of the British" policy in the East, and the Australian public is sometimes slow to appreciate the policy of concentrating the main fighting strength in European waters. If the Australians are intent on the "White Australian ideal, they are also growing more alive to the responsibilities it entails. The "Times" welcomes Ihe spirit of popular awakening oxpressed by Mr Deakin's proposals fo> universal military training for coastal defence.