DEFENCE OF IMPERIAL DOMINIONS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE OF IMPERIAL DOMINIONS.

SECURITY IN THE PACIFIC.

CONFERENCE ADVOCATED,

By Taleffrapli—Press A6Boola.Uonr-Oopyxlsht "Times" —Sydney "Sun" Special Cables.

London, October 9. Tho "Times," in a leading article, after making commendatory roforenco to Sydney's enthusiasm over tho Australian Fleet's welcome, says:—"Australians have taken the tasks of nationhood seriously, and now see their efforts embodied in tho firm grey outlines of their own ships. The problem in particular—tho maintaining of adequate security in the Pacific —is one which Australia shares with Canada and Now Zealand as well as with Britain. It is manifest that no Dominion can face the task single-handed, and it is equally manifest that the matter of joint.provision requires thorough consultation and some give and take. ' For these reasons, wo strongly support the holding of a Pacific Defence Conference. There is little doubt that such a conference will bo hold sooner or later, but it is obvious that tho conditions of the moment mako it impracticable for any British Minister to undertake a voyago in the present state of politics. It is probable that Canada may desire to postpone tho conference until hor own Parliamentary situation is lesß equivocal, and that General Botha would hardly attend a conference in the thick of tho controversies with which tho Union is at present occupied. Howover. those are ill-informed who declaro that the British or any other Government does not deßiro to boo tho conference proposal realised as soon as circumstances permit." MR. CHURCHILL' AGAIN. OPEN-AIR SPEECH ON IMPERIAL NEEDS. (Roo. Ootober 10, 10.30 p.m.) London, October 10. Mr. ChiiTobill (First Lord of the Admiralty) last evening addressed a Liberal gathering of women, and afterwards spoko at nn open-air mooting in tho outskirts of Dundee. A dozen Suffragists were ejected l from his first meeting. When quiet had _ boon restored, Mr. Churchill, referring to tho "Liberal perturbations" at tho growth of naval expenditure, said that a serious effort was required to make up lost time in order to roach a position in which tho Empire would bo boyond danger. While these developments in the British Navy irero being proceeded with, Britain's relations with Germany had', continually improved, and were now thoroughly satisfactory. There was more danger to bo apprehended from ill-will through panic than from a display of calm assmranco of strength. At nis second meeting, Mr. Churchill declared that tho Government wouJd not allow any measures of conciliation to defraud a great political party of its victory, and Dnulk the nation of the realisation of its birthright. If the Irish question woro once settled, tho ground would be olcared for tho consideration of tho Belf-igovornment of other parts of the Empiro. Ho was absolutely unrepentant with regard to tho spocch ho made a year ago, when dealing with tho principle of Federation. Ho believed that miuiy would live to see a Federal system in Great Britain, which would bo the forerunner of on Imperial federation, a gathering together of tho British We and from overseas. ■■ *— QUEBTION IN FEDERAL HOUSE. STATEMENT BY MR. COOK. (Reo. Octobor 10, 10.80 p.m.) Melbourne, October 10. Speaking in the Fedoral House, Mr. Cook, tho Prime Minister, in reply to a question, stated that tho Commonwealth Government had requested tho Imperial Government to convene a conference of representatives of the Dominions and tho United Kingdom in order to discuss Imperial matters generally, but primarily to consider defence questions. Ho added that ho had had no official information that tho proposed Defenoo Conference had been abandoned as reported.

THE EMPIRE AND I.OOAL 1 DEFENCE SIR WILFRID LATJRIER'S VIEW. Quebco, Ootober 9. Bir Wilfrid Laurier, Leader of the Canadian Opposition, referring to the neval question, said that at all of the four Imperial Conferences ho had attended the oonsisWpt attitudo was maintained that Canada would attend to her own defenoe on sea and land, according as her wealth permitted. The Empire would only live up to local autonomy when Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa had fleets of their own. All will do a great deal for tho peace of tho world.

HUGE EXPENDITURE 80HEMB.

RUSSIAN NAVY INCREASE,

"Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables,

(R«o. Ootober 10, 7.35 p.m.) 3t. Petersburg, October 10. It is rumoured that Russia, by tho wish of her Allies, iB reviving a scheme of naval expenditure involving tho outlay of £100,000,000, spread over ten years, on the construction of Dreadnoughts. Russia's latest programmo already provideß for tho expenditure of £50,000,000, including four Dreadnoughts, to bo completed in 1915. Her building resources are overstrained, and the Admiralty is unablo to expond tho annual votes.