DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 503, 10 May 1909, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVES. ' ' I (Roc. May 10, 1.25 a.m.) Melbourne, May 9. | v The Federal Government will bo represented at the Naval Conference by Sonator, Pearee (Minister for Defence) and Mr. J. C. AVatson- (formerly Labour Prime Minister)/. '-' ,' ': THE CONFERENCE.' '". PRIME MINISTER WILL PROBABLY : - '.':'■" NOT GO.' ■'<',•.'■' : It is generally considered.that Sir Joseph .Ward will'. make strenuous efforts to go to London as Now Zealand's representative at tho Imperial Defenco Conference. Thero aro two reasons for this. 'First.■.it is his duty to go impossible. Second, he would arrivo at- Homo at a lime when' his visit would be specially welcome —when the:full glory of New Zealand's offer would be focussed upon' him..', ■ ■ ■■ ; '-..",- ■';' :. ..;■ - -. ■' ■■. ..'. Against this/' there' is - the first meeting of a 1 new Parliament, in which,'although ho has a largo' party majority, he has to negotiate-several awkward questions, notably those connected With land, retrenchment, and finance. Of courso, if ,he i went 'Homo; Sir Joseph would have to obtain an undertaking from the Leader, of the Opposition'that no party question involving the fate of tho Government would'bo - raised during his absence: i Therefore,- tho probability is—much as ho would liko ( it otherwise—Sir'Joseph Ward will not go to' London. It has been suggested that Mr. Hall-Jones, High Commissioner, and Mr. M'Nab should represent this Dominion. Colonel Davies, Inspector-General of the Forces, will bo in England :at the.time, and his services''will-be available to'our representative or representatives.'-.,.