THE EMPIRE'S NEEDS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1530, 28 August 1912, Page 7

THE EMPIRE'S NEEDS.

A STRIKING ARTICLE. EFFECT OF AUSTRALIAN NAVY POLICY. DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. By TclcerMh—Press Association-Copyricht (Hoc. August 27, 10.35 p.m.) London, August 27. "Tho Times" publishes a striking article on Imperial defence, in which it eulogises Australia and New Zealand for the lead they have given to tho other Dominions in practical measures of defence. Australia, it is jointed out, has now embarked on an important naval development for reasons different from Canada's. Canada desires mainly a general security against war, and, inasmuch as her security is absolutely dependent on that of tho Empire as a whole, she is naturally inclined towards close cooperation with the British Fleet in European seas. Australia, on tho other hand, looks first to tho Pacific and to the balance of power there. Her first consideration is tho reverse of Canada's: it is security against a direct attack. . V "Tho Times" then utters a warning in connection with tho argument that the Australian fleet will remain Imperial bocause it will become so immediately in the event of war. It argues, firstly, that the movements of tho Australian fleet may in themselves produce war, and if the Empire as a whole has no voice in the movements of the fleet it cannot accept responsibility for the consequences those movements may entail. Secondly, if Australia conducts her own policy in the Pacific —a policy over which other Imperial statesmen have no control—then sho will bo committing the other partners in tho Empire to liabilities they cannot limit or foretell. Theso conclusions, "Tho Times" adds, admittedly have no immediate bearing on Imperial relations, inasmuch as they aro based on conditions which do not exist at present, but it is essential to look forward, as Mr. Borden, the Canadian Prime Minister, proposes, and provide for the' gradual accommodation of Imperial relations to Imperial needs. The problem is not simple, and progress can only be tentative.