IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 14 June 1909, Page 7

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

. . AUSTBALIA-S DELEGATE. (EI TELEGBAPH—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPIBIaHT.j ■. ■> ■. ! ; ( Molbourno, Juno 12..' ■The Federal, Cabinet line discussed the questions likely to "picseht ttanselves at tho London .Colonel .Foxton, Honorary Minister, who will bo tho Commonwealth representative at the conference, will leave for.London on Wednesday next. He will Bo accempaiiied by Captain. Creswoll (Director of tho. Commonwealth .Naval Forces) and Colon ol Bridges (Chief of Intelligence on tho Commonwealth Military Board) , as advisors. '

•■' Colonel Foxton. has been placed; in full possession of, the views of tno Government. [Commenting on the attitude to Empire,defence of tho new Deakin Government as compared with that of tho late Fisher Government, tho "Sydney Morning Herald" says:—"There is really very little difference of opinion upon tho fundamentals, except that tho new Government is more in touch lyith;popular/fceliuß in'its desire to work closely with the Imperial authorities. The" people' 'of ■•Australia wish'to make defence, both naval and military,' thoroughly effective.: The Socialist ideal, however, is a system which will:bo' Imperial by accident, and which in time of war will only be integral with that of the Empiie by wresting 1t from its original purpose. Mr. JJeakiu and Mr. Cook accept the principle that the Commonwealth must' bo made self-helping and self-defending, but' they recognise the necessity for accepting as probable enemies those whom Great Britain is specially concerned ■■ about. It would havo been distinctly mischievous to send to London mou who had an invincible prejudice in favour of certain lines of ection, when what is wanted is an open mind and a readiness to'recognise a common difficulty. ■ Tho mat thing is that Australia is'willing to do her part in preparing for the great etrurele of : How far she should go, and in what direction, may woll be left for final decision when the statesmen and experts of Great and Greater Britain'have con.ferred.] •' .' v •'■•., . WEST AUSTRALIAN DINNER.., '.';'-:_■.. London, June 11. At the West Australian banquet, the Hon.• W.Holl-Jones, High Commissioner for New Zealand,.was present. ■ • .'The Hon. O. H. Rason, Agent-General for West Australia, who presided, in proposing the toast of "The Empiro," reforred to the maryelloTiS' growth of the Imperial spirit. The colonies, he said, now recognised that they must take up their shore of the burden of Empire, and make, plain to other nations that they must calcnlato, not on the strength of portion of tho Empire, but of tho wholo. • ' COMMONWEALTH'S GIFT. ' (Rec. June 13, 4 p.m.) , '.',' London, Juno 12. Mr. ABqnith read in the Houso of Commons Lord Dndley's message announcing tho gift by Australia of a Dreadnought, aiuiil loud cheers. : ;. . .• , ; - .