"MERELY A CANARD."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1879, 13 October 1913, Page 7

"MERELY A CANARD."

THE ABANDONED IMPERIAL DEFENCE CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright "Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. London, October 11. Opinions are expressed that it is regrettable that the Commonwealth Ministry has not recognised that tho report of tho Imperial Defence Conference having been abandoned; was merely a "canard," and manufactured by a small section of tho Conservative party press for tho purpose of berating the Liberal Government. Noither ' the public nor tho politicians of eitherparty aro tho ■ slightest bit interested in tho controversy, which under present conditions is futile and aimless, ft would be most regrettable if the Ministry, upon misleading information, should express opinions which may rupture the harmonious relations with the British Government, to the prejudice of our Imperial and Australian intorests.

FEDERAL PREMIER'S PROTEST.

(Reo. October 12, 5.5 p.m)

London, Octeber 11. . Tho "Daily Telegraph," commenting on tho, statement by Mr. Joseph Cook (the Federal Prime Minister), with regard to the reported abandonment of tiio Imperial Defonco Conference, remarks that tho Dominions dark regarding tho Navy, and if light lio. refused them, the Empire would bo threatened with a development of a most disquieting character, as tlio tone of Mr.. Cook's statement shows. TITo "Telegraph" contradicts Sir Wilfrid Laurier's assertion that there Is no naval emergency. On tho contrary, says tlio "Telograph," tho situation is growing worso. Britain was like Atlas, bearing tho world, with the Empire's Dominions showing their anxiety to respond. Mr. Churchill'B urgent call is not t&o late.