THE PRESS CONGRESS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9468, 10 June 1909, Page 5

THE PRESS CONGRESS.

NOTABLE SPEECHES. United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. London, Jane 9. Mr McKenna, who presided at the meeting of . the Press Conference, said that difficulties were growing and may require the whole of the Empire’s strength. As long as we could keep the highways open the national defence were lessened. Naval defence, in its Imperial aspect, covers the glohe. We have no less responsibility in one part of the Empire than in another. The development of the naval idea should come from the Dominions. England cannot force strategic ideas upon the Dominions. If any asked the Admiralty’s views”there would be a' ready answer but the Dominions would have their own views and methods. Lessons taught by others would not have the same “effect as those learnt by themselves. The main problem of defence was the same for all. The maintenance of the supremacy of the sea means the maintenance of supremacy in all the seas. He .urged that the navy should he above party. He hoped that when the” time came the Press would sacrifice professional interests regarding the secrets necessary in warfare.

Sir E. Grey opened with the following description of the country’s foreign policy : Keep what we have ; consolidate and develop itquarrel as little as possible with people; uphold in the worlds councils and diplomacy the ideals England values. Among these, and characteristic of the Empire, was the sense of justice. This was dominated by the hatred of pretence and a frank recognition that all settlements must bo in the nature of a compromise. He deprecated the idea of the Home Government being prone to make a compromise where the Ooionies’[iaterests were affected. Compromises were essential to every great Empire. If It exacted the extreme need in every case, the British Empire would bceome impossible. Nevertheless we must keep what we have, bub 'be moderate in enforcing other claims, or there would be no fair room for others in the world. Referring by way of emphasis to the serious tone of Lord Rosebery’s mention of armaments, Sir B. Grey remarked : “I endorse every word Lord Rosebery said on Saturday.” Sir B. Grey added: “We are in comparatively calm weather, but the excessive expenditure on the weather sultry. The seriousness of the question cannot be overlooked. We have too much at stake to permit the navy to fall behind whatever the burden. You have shown how great are our resources. We are all travelling towards the idea of union as allies.” He urged that it be our endeavour to uphold the great qualities of national character and labour to make the Government honest and the Empire honourable. AN AUSTRALIAN OPINION. Mr Ward, Sydney, said it was a flash of genius which inspired the idea of this conference. It was to have a beneficial influence throughout the Empire. There was no question so important to the Empire as naval defence. The

history of Australia showed the value of Britain’s command of the sea. Doubtless its geographical position had something to do with

Australia’s security during the past 100 years, but the advances in mod-

ern science were annihilating distances and had brought Australia distinctly within tne danger zone. Australia, with a email population, was a great empty continent, which would ha a whole empire to some nations. It offered a terrible temptation, and when there was danger on the seas Australians would be right in it. It was a matter of life and death. It was not a question of some possible raid on Australian shores, but keeping open the trade routes. Take these away, and British supremacy of the seas was destroyed. And then what advantage would It he to Australians to shear their sheep or guard their gold? Referring to the debate cabled to Australia on March 17th, jMr Ward said Messrs McKenna’s and Asquith’s speeches fell like fire on tinder, and added enormously to the realisation of the position wherein Australia stood. The offer of a Dreadnought was a natural sequel. Mr McKenna had to-day stated that the Admiralty was ready with an answer, and to give it if asked, regarding the best policy for the common defence of the Empire. He trusted the Australian representatives at the July Oonfereuce'would ask it, (Applause )• What would be the use of Australia providing a cruiser if the Imperial Government must go on protecting New Zealand, which was still further away, and Fiji, which was in the, neighbourhood of French and German possessions. The duty of everv one of the outlying portions of the Empire was to assist in maintaining the supremacy of the seas. He agreed with Mr Hugh Graham in his incidental remark on Saturday that the Imperial Government had bsen a little too indulgent to the Colonies iu [this, matter. Mr “Ward

added: “Wo are quite willing to take the opinion of the Motherland’s responsible naval authorities regard- ■ ing what i ’ tho best policy, |for »j t fl.e best, and to (lu a fair alone of ilia carrying of it out.’’ (Cheers.)

, INDIAN AFFAIRS. Lord Cromer in a short speech, said he was convinced of the unwisdom of encouraging vernacular pressmen to undertake political martyrdom, remembering their sufferings were not acute. He hoped some Indian delegates would tell the Conference whether there was any connection between the wild writing of certain vernacular newspapers and the commission of outrages which had shocked the moral sense of the country. When referring to the necessity of editors firmly handling dicffinlt situations, he said that though ho did not pretend to agree with all the views of the late Mr David Syme, he could not withhold admiration for his courage.

Mr Banergee“said he had no hesitation in declaring that the vernacular press had no sympathy with the outrages. He believed that under Yisoount Motley’s rule India would experience great improvement. The Hon. Alfred Lyttelton said he was delighced to hear Sir E! Grey endorse Lord Rosebery’s utterance, and suggested that colonial contributions be not an annual grant, but money to build a ship, and so]make the nucleus of the aspirations for the future—ending ultimately in a ship being manned by the citizens of the donor colony, and named after the latter, her officers having facilities for rising to the highest posts in the navy. FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE. Received June 10, 8.40 a.m. London, Jane 9. Mr Kirwan, Westralia. responding for the guests at the luncheon at the House of Commons, emphasised the steady strenghtening of the spirit of colonial nationalism, namely the spirit of pride in being an Australian, Canadian or New Zealander, Yet a change was coming over the Dominions and the Empire which were sorely tending towards a period of closer alliance, and the Empire of the future would be grander and greater than in the past, inasmuch as it would consist of a great family of new nations, a source of strength and pride to the Motherland. Several Cabinet Ministers, and all the London editors were' at Mr Lloyd George’s breakfast. SOME ENTERTAINMENTS. The weather was delightful during Lord Northoliffe’s entertainment at Sutton Place, Guildford. There were no speeches. The 230 guests included Lords Roberts and Esher, Lord Robert and Lord Hugh Cecil. In the evening Mr Beaohoroft, Chairman of London County Council, gave a reception in the Grafton Galleries, at which 1000 guests were present. They included London Mayors and Municipal officials. PRESS COMMENTS., The Chronicle says the? endorsement of Lord Rosebery’s warnings by Sir E. Grey made a deep impression on his audience.

Mr Ward’s speech showed the Conference the opinion that those who sheltered themselves behind the flag ought to take a share in the maintenance of the fleet.

The Daily Express says that the manly speeches of Sir E, Grey and Messrs Lyttelton and Ward make more for peace than the itinerant junketings of the Labour leaders in Germany. The general opinion is that snoh discussions as those of yesterday are the best possible preparation for the confidential 'official debates next month. The opportunity of meeting and hearing Britain’s leaders and*pnblic man is one of the best results of the visit. SPEECH BY MR BALFOUR. Mr Balfour, presiding, delivered a remarkable speech at,the Press Conference. He endorsed Lord itosebery’s views, adding "that if an Armageddon occurred it would not be in the remote parts of the Empire but in European waters. Mr Haldane agreed with Mr "Balfour and Lord Rosebery, and advocated his ssobeme for a General in touch with the staffs of the Colonies.

Messrs Fenwick, Cunningham and Lord Roberts spoke, and Mr Fink proposed a resolution urging the advocacy of universal training. Mr Mark Oohen'seoonded the resolution, and urged that Lord Roberto be sent as a missionary throughout the Empire. The Conference disapproved of adopting any? resolution. It was therefore withdrawn.