IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1923, Page 3

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

LORD SYDENHAM’S VIEWS. | “Tilk Timi>” s,.;uvi( r:.j -R/ '-oived this day at Hi.3l) am ) LONDON. March 22. Lord Sydenham ill a letter on Imperial security, advocates the extension of the intelligent use and development of the existing machinery ol the comiiiittcc of Imperial defence, ol which he was the first secretary. i> the most competent to deal with the problems of sea, laud and air. Lord Sydenham coilt.eml> that, the committee was not effectively used during the war. other wise certain grave errors would not have occurred. He agrees it is essential to secure the co-operation ol lhe Dominions hut points out the Prime Ministers engrossed with local preolems. may not he able to give attention to world questions, and cannot maintain trained staffs employed for special study on these subjects, while the necessary information is accessible. Therefore it is the duty of the committee to supply the information. in reasoned .statements of opinion. receiving in return local knowledge and opinion. There should he a frequent interchange of members of the Vt nr Stall's of England and the Empire. The I lonic stall's should have a closer liaison with other British stall's. When Prime Ministers as ex-officio members of the committee are unable to attend they should appoint a representative possibly their High Commissioner, to raise questions relevant to Imperial defence.

CO .MM EXT RY “TIMT-X" LONDON. '.March 22

The “Times,” in an editorial, commenting in a feature article, calling attention to the shrinkage of Dominion naval armaments for Empire defence, sacs the result of the last few years has been the undoing in overt- unit of the Emnire, of the efforts called Forth during Iho war. From top to bottom, th" whole armaments of the Empire arc ripe for revision, in the light of modern strategy, foreign policy anti lialional economy. If economy, as well as better co-ordination and distribution of military materials is liki-lv to lie promoted by Hi<- Ministry of Defence, the sooner that main reorganisation is set iu hand, the better.”