IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12793, 11 June 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE

Naval Defence.

Some Nctable Speeches,

Press Association .— Telegraph .—Copyright. Received June 11, 8.45 a.m.

LONDON, June 10.

Mr Balfour, speaking at tV conference, said the fate ot Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and India would not be decided in the Patiti. or Indian Oceans, but in the northern hemisphere. Everybody who read the signs oi' the times agreed with Lord Roscbery's and Sir E. Grey's weighty words, and recognised the impossibility of looking at the subject of Imperial defence without anxiety, though there need not bo panic. Mr Brierly (Montreal) said if danger threatened the Empire Canada was prepared to spend her last cent or give her last drop of blood to prevent a catastrophe. The result of the conference would not be found in the minute books, but m fclxo ixi.O3.~e£».se<l interest in XuipGl'ia,! JMELt— ters.

Mr Haldane agreed with every word of Mr Bal four's. He urged the colonies to organise their forces in the interests of their own necessities, but he asked them to remember the possible need of co-opera-tion with the Empire. Mr Balfour said he felt the burden of the present time. Difficulties were arising which were not accidental, but Vecausc other nations were becoming more wealthy and powerful, but he still believed the Empire's rate of progress was greater than that of any other race. Mr Fenwick said the speeches of Ministers and ex-Ministers this week had made the conference historic. Tlie editors had received mveh inspiration on many points. The spontaneous offer of New Zealand's Dreadnought was not measured by its cost. It was a demonstration of the patriotic feeling which would help forward all the Empire. He disclaimed disapproving the action of Canada and Australia and their decision to provide their own defence, but said all must recognise how inadequate local provision must be. The safety of the overseas dominions lay in the maintenance of a great Imperial Navy, therefore he urged the Press to support it. Mr Cunningham (Melbourne) said it was impossible to get Australians to realise that their first efforts must be wholly directed to the Imperial Navy. They should first be interested in their own defence. To think of a nayy — if only a local nayj — that would be a stepping stone to Imperial. He though Australia had been treated indulgently in the past. That was the secret of the wave of enthusiasm which had resulted in the recent offers of New Zealand and the Commonwealth. He was delighted that the new Government of the latter had adopted the people's wishes. Australia was not ready to adopt universal training. It involved many problems. He doubted the wisdom of attempting to force it at the present stage.

Lord Roberts said the chief danger of England was that she had enjoyed so long supremacy of the seas that security on land was apt to be regarded as a fixed condition. He believed that a new era had commenced. It miefht require the wbole Empier to justify its existence. Nothing but forethought and preparation could make us reliable for a great emergency.