THE DOMINIONS' FORCES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 669, 20 November 1909, Page 5

THE DOMINIONS' FORCES.

IMPERIAL INTERCHANGE, A HOMOGENEOUS AEMY OF OVXE A MILLION. (By Toleeraph-Press Aesoolatlpn-rOopyrlght.) London, November 18. Lord Lucas, Undor-Secrctary for War, in an address at the Libeial Colonial Club, described tko efforts which are being made to eecu.ro a homogeneous Imperial Army. Thirty Imperial officers, said his Lordship, wore now serving in Australia, Npw Zealand, and Canada, while twelve officers from those dominions uerc in Britain. It was possible that a Canadian battalion would be present at the noit British manoeuvres. Tho military forces of the Empire, the speaker declared, totalled almost a million and a quarter. COMPULSORY TRAINING. IS AUSTRALIA SOLVING DEFENCE PEODLEM? London, November 18. Qenoral Sir Edward Button, formerly Commander of tho Military Forces in Australia, speaking at the Colonial Institute, said tho compulsory system of military training proposed by tho Australian Government 6olved tho problem of defence, and was an example not only to the sister nations, but to tho Motherland. COLONIAL NAVAL .CONTRIBUTIONS. PERSONAL SEEVICE. I London, November, IS. In the course of his address to the Society , of Arts, Sir Wm. White stated that ho hoped I the colonial contributions toward naval defence I lvould not bo limited to tho provision of ships, I but that they would include personal service. I Blue-b'ooks dealing with tho Defonco Conference have been ■, published in London and Ottawa. FINANCING OF AUSTRALIAN UNIT. Melbourne., November 19, If the resolutions in regard to the naval policy under the agreement reached at tho Defence Conference are adopted by tho Federal Parliament, a Loan Bill'will bo introduced withm a fortnight. The Government does not think any money will bo required this year. Tho keel of the now Dreadnought-cruiser (an improved Invincible which is to be the flagship of tho Australian unit) will be laid early next year, and the first instalment of money will not be needed till Juno. It is understood that the Admiralty was willing to nndertake to finance the schemo for tho Government, but it was thought desirable cot to proceed in that way.