IMPERIAL DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12606, 17 November 1926, Page 7

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

“CRISP TALK” AT CONFERENCE PLACID WATERS SLIGHTLY RUFFLED REPORT WILL BE CENSORED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. iutralian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 15. For the first time since the opening of the Imperial Conference the placid waters have become a little ruffled. The Australian Press Association understands from the most reliable source that to-day’s plenary session was marked by a little plain speaking, “Crisp talk” was the term applied to the candid interchange, which, it is understood, occurred during Mr Bruce’s speech on Imperial defence. How important tho debate was is revealed not only by the conference’s decision to withhold any public announcement till tlio verbatim transcript has been closely scrutinised for the selection of a general outline, but by private admissions that (die communique will be heavily censored. POLICY WILL BE DECLARED From what can be gathered the in. cident arose over the discussion as to the extent to which the Dominions should share Britain’s naval burden. A comment by one of the Dominion delegates across the table raised the whole question of the scope of Imperial relations as governing consideration of the responsibility for defence. It is hinted that the upshot was the clinching of the fact of the Empire’s inevitable Inter-dependence from the standpoints of economics and trade defence, and that the almost unanimous recognition of these points diverted the discussion into an examination of a declaration of policy, which will not carry the appearance of a written constitution. One dependable informant went 50 far as to say ; “I think we’ve got it all right.” MR BRUCESPOKE PLAINLY SINGAPORE IS ESSENTIAL AUSTRALIA’S ROWCA’. (Received November 16. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 16. Mr Bruce’s speech on defence was the longest and most direct of all the speeches by the Dominion prime ministers. It is understood that he examined in detail the position of the Pacific, and repeated his declaration that Anstralia regarded Singapore as an integral part of her defence system. Be went on to point out that the Labour Ministry’s jettisoning of Singapore had changed the whole of Anstralia’s defence policy, and affected 1 fier position, in responding to the Imperial Suggestion that the Dominions should bear a larger share of the cost of the Empire’s defence, because, ill the face of muoh oriticism, she plaoed orders for two Washington cruisers and two submarines, which, added to her existing fleet, constituted the largest contribution to the Royal Navy. It is gathered that New Zea- . land and India- are .willing to ' give njaterial anictancei but Consideration of the scale of cash contributions has not yet been reached.