IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 10429, 7 December 1896, Page 2

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

|Per United JPre^s Assqqi^tiqn.] London, Pec. 4. The Duke of Devonshire, Lord Preside^ of : the t Council, in , the .course of -a. speech, said the Admiralty had selected , ports of reference for coaling, refitting, and repairing stations, where they were absolutely secure; ,and Avhere there was liability of attack resources for resistance existed. Government, he said, hold it to be the duty of the colonies to prpv^de ifixed defences and troops. The works without adequate troops were useless and (deliusive. He said it was not necessary to approach ihe, lmperial Government while the Commercial Trade League proves useful in paving the way for a better with tfie scjqnie.s. The Admiralty, he added, would maintain the supremacy at seaand protect the colonies from any organised invasion; but it would cla^m the disposal of all the troops, not limiting action to the immediate vicinity, when it was found that a particular spot was better defended than places at distanpes. The colonies, ho said, must repel the raid 3on the commercial ports on a distinct naval basis. , Sir W. B. Perceval said he hoped that the difficulty of a commercial uniq^.wpuld be overcome. §ii\.Cjhai;les Tupper expressed himself as delighted at Victoria favoring the suggestion for a conf eren.ce .to.discuss the question. T.he pres3 generally support .the Jwlding of a. gon,feren,ce.