UNITY OF THE EMPIRE

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 27

UNITY OF THE EMPIRE

THE "ALIARED" ROUTE.

LONDON, December 27.

The Times admits the cogency of Sir John Colomb's contention that an " Allred " system of maritime defence ought to take precedence , over an "All-red" mail route. Yet, since the main thing is to knit the several parts of the Empire together in the bonds of a common interest and a common policy, perhaps the popular instinct is sound in using all practicable means to ensure that end without troubling about the question of precedence. Thus an" All-red " route may provide the Tole of a schoolmaster in teaching all parts of the Empire to recognise the necessity for unity and solidarity. > - MELBOURNE, December 30.

Mr Deakin, referring to the cabled summary of Sir John Colomb's article, says that some allowance must be made for the language of a partisan, since Sir John has approached his subject from the standpoint of a partisan.

As to Sir John's statement that the British nation must refuse to listen to colonial officials who ask for the expenditure of money in order^ to multiply sea routes for commercial purposes, Mr Deakin points out that Australia certainly has not made any..6uch appeal for Imperial assistance.