THE PREMIER IN LONDO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3763, 30 April 1907, Page 2

THE PREMIER IN LONDO.

His Speeches at the Conference. The Acting-Premier has received by cable a precis of the speeches delivered by Sir Josebh Ward at the Imperial Conference, NAVAL DEFENCE. The dinner at the Colonial Institute gave the New Zealand Minister of Defence an opportunity of speaking on that subject. He said : A workable scheme for interchange of Imperial British officers and units for education purposes would prove valuable. He strongly favoured the British Navy being under the entire control of the Admiralty at London. New Zealand preferred to support the British Navy by way of subsidy, and, if necessary, an increased subsidy. He thought it quite possible that the ships in New Zealand waters could be manned by entirely New Zealand crews, so as to avoid two sets of wages being paid to British and colonial crews, and thus a source of irritation and friction would be removed. New Zealand would not object to the'subsidy being devoted entirely to providing crews if the Admiralty so desired. At the Colonial Conference he was glad to hear the views of Lord Tweedmouth regarding docks and coaling stations in New Zealand. With the co-operation of the Horae authorities excellent facilities in both these matters could be provided.

COAT AND DOCKYARDS. Already the Calliope Dock at Auckland was available for ships of war, and if the Admiralty desired to have further docks in future for strategic use, he suggested the desirability of stating the length and size of the ships that were likely to be in NewZealand waters in the future. The harbour authorities, who controlled the docks, should have this information before them, and he had no doubt that if circumstances required they would cooperate with the Admiralty in making provision for the future. Coal, which was amongst the finest in the world, was available at the coalmines at Greymouth and Westport. The country recognised the importance of coal development, and had become responsible for about ,£400,000 for the development of these coal ports. It was entirely a matter of money. He would be glad to confer with the First Lord of the Admiralty upon this or any other matter that would be calculated to improve the position of ships patrolling these shores. LOOKING FORWARD.

He recognised thata maritime struggle, if one ever occurred, would be most likely to take place near England, and victory, whenever it took place, would be vital to all parts of the Empire, New Zealand was not prepared to enter upon a policy of building battleships, or of having its own navyl It had to be remembered that the colony was young, that a great internal development policy would Still be necessary for years to come. The settlement and development of the country was as important to England as to New Zealand, and even if he favoured the policy of a local navy, which he did not, there was limitation to the powers of a country like New Zealand in incurring heavy financial responsibilities. Within their limited means they would do their part, but for some years to come it must be in the direction of helping and supporting the British Navy as against any ambitious local navy scheme. Australia was entitled to give effect to such policy as she considered best, and his friend Mr Deakin would have his support in what they desired to do, although he could not see his way to apply it to New Zealand. THE SUEZ. CANAL.

In reference to the Army proposals, Sir Joseph Ward considered uniformity in system, in guns and munitions of war most desirable, so that the same weapons and ammunition could be made use of in time of action. He urged that efforts should be made in practical directions to bring the Motherland and her sons beyond the seas closer together. He suggested the importance of Australia and New Zealand having some say on the Board of Control of the Suez Canal. There was a growing and increasing trade through it from both countries. It was part of the world’s highway, and those portions ot the Empire which used it should have some say in the management and control. He did not ask for nominal representation, but they should be allowed to purchase a portion of the Suez Canal shares to entitle them to representation on the Board ot Control. STEAMER CONNECTION. Sir Joseph Ward next urged that Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand should setearnestly to work to provide faster steamers across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and bring Australia and New Zealand to within twenty days of London. This was quite possible—four davs to Canada, four days across the Continent, and twelve days across the Pacific to New Zealand, provided they went for steamers of modern size, build, and speed. One of the greatest troubles of the colonies was there distance from the Old Land. If people of both ends of the world had an opportunity of doing the journey in three weeks, thousands would travel where hundreds would do now. CABLE COMMUNICATION. Cheaper cable communication was also required. He declared

his belief that it would pay England, India, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, even it they could not own all the cables between their respective countries, to have the rates reduced to one shilling or even sixpence per word, and guarantee the present returns that were accruing from business passing over lines. He included the Pacific cable in any suggested guarantee, and his opinion was that, though a loss at first would occur, reduced rates would mean such enormous increased traffic that the guarantee would soon be a nominal one.