REPRESENTATIVES INVITED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1640, 6 January 1913, Page 5

REPRESENTATIVES INVITED.

... _——« TO THE IMPERIAL DEFENCE COMMITTEE. V St Taleirraoh—Praia Assoolatloa—Ooryrlrtl '(Rob, January 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 4. Referring to Canada's preparedness to send V Minister to attend tho < Imperial "Defence Committee, Mr. Haroourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) has invited the other oversea dominions to state whother they will adopt a closer connection with the- Committee, in whatever way, which may b«t suit their special circumstances. . .. . ■ 'The Dominion members of the Imperial Defence Committee," said the "Times" in a fairly recent leading article an the subject of "Democracies and Defence,' "would of course Mve no power to commit their Governments to action of any kind. Thoy would bo there to represent views of their Dominions in matters of policy and defence with (jreatei; influence and continuity than is possible now.'They would also be there' to dispose With greator fulness and oonslsteacy of all tho information by which British policy is shaped. l This process, though simply and solely consultative, would have a mutual value which no other expedient could give. . . . Tho Imperial Conference is only periodical, • while tho Committee of Defence can meet-at nay time. ; . The Imperial Conference milst be summoned by all its constituent Governments, and is not properly constituted unleSg all are there./.' A single Dominion could express its vieira through the Commltteo of Defence whenever it .had views .to express,or information to . demand. Wie want in ■ the practical British '• fashion 'the simplest ready expedient which will servo tile end in view. ..