EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 31 July 1909, Page 2

EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

PROCEEDINGS OPENED. London, July 28. Mr .Asquith, at the inaugural meeting of the Imperial Defence Conference, outlined the Government’s proposals in regard to defence.

The sittings of the Conference will’be strictly private. After Mr Asquith’s opening speech at the Defence Conference, the delegates briefly replied in turn, expressing thanks for the cordiality of their reception. The coming debates concerning co-ordination of naval and military plans will be largely in the hands of experts. DELEGATES BANQUETED. The delegates to the Defence Conference were entertained at an enthusiastic inaugural banquet at the Guildhall by the British Empire Club. The Duke of Devonshire presided.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S

SPEECH

Mr for War, proposed the toast of “ The Imperial Defence Conference.” Sir Joseph Ward was the first of the delegates to speak in response to the toast. He was enthusiastically cheered on rising. He said that regarding Imperial defence they would surely agree with him that he could fittingly confine himself in his remarks to the colonial aspect of the matter. As a result of recent events the people of that country were slowly but surely awakening to the fact that the oversea dominions were no longer the useless encumbrances they were once supposed to be. Time was when they were helpless, but that time was past, and the day was now dawning when it would be seen that they were ready and willing to assist in their own defence, and thereby in the common defence of the Empire. ‘‘A prudent prophet,” said Sir Joseph, “ never prophesies until after the event. I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but peering into the future by the light of the past, I think it is not hard to forecast what may be effected, if wise and prudent counsels prevail, in the relations between the different portions of the Empire.

‘‘A hundred years is a short time in the life of a nation. It is more than a hundred years since Trafalgar was fought, and in the case of many of us our fathers remember it. It is nearly sixty years since the Crimean war, and many Crimean veterans are alive to-day. I ask you to consider, then, what is possible a hundred years hence in the development of the Empire. Taking Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, their total population today probably does not much exceed twelve or thirteen millionsIn the ordinary course of events it will be over a hundred millions a century hence. I ask you to consider the effect, not only on the strength of the Empire itself, but on the peace of the world, if these communities are then integral portions of the Empire, thinking and acting with the United Kingdom in the spirit they manifest to-day. “Not only will the Empire itself be impregnable against attack, but with the certain co-operation of at least one other great nation, the peace ot the world will be kept,' and an international disturbance in Europe will be suppressed comparatively easily. . “I, of course, am not at liberty to discuss anything that transpired at the Defence Conference this morning. Instructions have been issued that there is to be no divulgence of what is discussed, and rightly so in the interests of the Empire, but I wish to emphasise the imperative necessity of the Conference arriving at a definite scheme, and not passing resolutions that may only be left for record, and not acted on.

“It would be suicidal not to recognise that the evolution which is going on in older countries calls for markedly forward movements on the part of the Old Motherland, in co-operation with her dominions beyond the seas. The old policy which up to now has been sufficient to meet the protective conditions of Empire are now not sufficient, and I feel confident that British statesmen, in co-operation with those of the colonies, will, at the conference, evolve a scheme, though necessarily one of a flexible nature, to meet local circumstances; and the scheme will be one for strengthening the Navy, and consequently enhancing the solidarity of the Empire. “The goal may be distant, but it exists, and can be reached. There are difficulties in the way, but with prudence, forbearance, wisdom and moderation, they are all surmountable, and surmounted they will be. Then, in the words of a great English writer

“Come the three corners of the world in arms, And we shall shock them; nought shall make us rue. If England to herself remain but true." AU;he conclusion of his speech Sir Joseph Ward was heartily cheered.