Imperial Defence.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 103, 28 October 1897, Page 3

Imperial Defence.

| Pec Press Association.] Stdotcy, October 27. A lengthy document, issued from the War Office, containing a statement from the Colonial Defence Committee, show. ing the principles which so far as they apply to special local condition", it is desirable should be followed in dealing with local defence. The document, which is covered by a despatch from Mr Chamberlain, concludes as follows:— •• Doubtless the time will come when the increasing streDgh and resources of the self governing colonies will enable them to materially assist the Mother Country by placing at her disposal, for operation in all quarters of the globe, bodies of troops formed from the ex cellent material and strong, self reliant colonists ; but, at present, the development of their own vast territories in time of peace, and the effective protection of them iv time of war, is uadoabt edly the best contribution the colonies can offer to Imperial defence. To this, however, there is an important exception. England may be engaged in the future, as she frequently has been in the past, in war which carries with it no danger of an attack on the colonies. In such a case offers of assistance from them will be prized as it has been on more than one occasion, not only for its real value, but also as an evidence of the solidity on which the greatness of the British Empire must ultimately rest.