EMPIRE DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 242, 7 July 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE

DOMINIONS’ CONTRIBUTION TO COST OF NAVY FORCE FOR CHINA STATION AND PACIFIC By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. July 5, 9 p.m.) London, July 5. In connection with the Premiers’ Conference, a good authority states that the British Government desires the Dominions to contribute one-fourth of the cost of the upkeep of an Empire Navy relative to the pre-war standard, the cost to be divided on a population basis. No pressure is being exerted, but the proposal is put forward as a basis for discussion. Canada, Africa, and India are not keen, on account of financial stress. It is reported that Mr. Hughes has asked ns a minimum that a naval force be maintained on the China station and in the Pacific sufficiently strong to hold off an enemy for one month, so as to enable the Empire to mobilise the main fleet. The Australian Navy is unequal to the task, and its future development on present lines is too slow and costly to give a guarantee of safety. He also stresses the quick obsolescence of warships, and Suggests that it would be preferable to draw the units from one central depot, the Dominions providing harbour and docking facilities. Mr. Massey is said to be strongly supporting Mr. Hughes, but both maintain the utmost secrecy. Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Grant (of th© Australasian. Naval Board) is attending the naval discussions at the Imperial Conference. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MINISTERS AND EXPERTS ATTEND CONFERENCE Potentialities of defence discussed. (Rec. July 6, 10.55 p.m.) London, July 5. In addition to the usual delegates' following, there attended at to-day's sitting of tho Premiers' Conference Mr. Lloyd George. Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Churchill, Lord Lee, Sir Worthington Evans, Mr. FaE. Guest, British Ministers; Mr. C. C. Ballantyne, Canadian Naval Minister; Colonel Mentz, South African Defence Minister; Mr. E. S. Montagu, Secretary of State for India; Earl Beatty, FieldMarshal Wilson, Air-Marshal Trenchard, and Admiral Grant. A communique states that Sir ington Evans, Mr. Guest, and Sir H. M. Trenchard dealt with the developments and potentialities of defence, after which there was a short discussion, the Minister and experts answering questions Certain subjects were remitted to De partmental committees for further con-sideration.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. MASSEY AND MR. HUGHES TOO BUSY TO ACCEPT SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTS. (Rec. July 6 5.5 p.m.) London July 5. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Massey have cancelled many social engagements and uro refusing all except the most important during the conference. Mr. Lloyd George will entertain the Dominion Premiers at The Chequers, at the week-end.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.