THE PRESS CONGRESS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9469, 11 June 1909, Page 5

THE PRESS CONGRESS.

UNIVERSAL SERVICE ; DISCUSSED. fUnited Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. .Loadon, Jane 10. Mr Balfour, speaking at 'the Conference, said the fate of Australia, -New Zealand, Canada, South Africa ;and India would not he decided in . “the Pacific or Indian Ocean, but in Vthe,'.northern hemisphere. Everybody ■ who read .the signs of the times iagread with Lord .Rosebery’s and Sir E. Grey’s weighty words and recognised the impossibility of looking at the subjceii of without anxiety though not with panic. Mr Brierley, Montreal, said if danger 'threatened the Empire, Canada was prepared to spend her last cent or give her last drop of hlood to prevent a catastrophe. The results of the Conference woald not be found in * the ‘ruinate boobs, bnt in the increased interest in Imperial matters. Mr Haldane agreed with every word of Mr Balfonr. He urged the Colonies to organise their forces in the interests of their own necessities but he asked them to remember the possible need of co-operation with the-Empire. Mr Balfour said he felt the burden of the present time. Difficulties ■were arising which were not accidental', hut because other nations were becoming more wealthy and powerful, but he still believed the Empire’s rate of greater than that of any other race. Mr Fenwick said the speeches of Ministers and ex-Ministera this week had made the Conference historic. The had received mnch inspiration on many points. The spontaneous offer of New Zealand’s Dreadnought was not measured by its cost. It was a demonstration of patriotic feeling which would help forward all the Empire. He disclaimed any disapproval of ■the action of Canada and Australia ind their decision to provide t*heir own defence, but said all must recognise how inadequate local provision must be. The safety of the oversea Dominions lay in the maintenance of a great Imperial Navy, therefore he urged the press to support it. Mr Cunningham, Melbourne, said it was impossible to get Australians to realise that their efforts must be ■wholly directed to the Imperial Navy. They should be first interested in their own defence To think of a navy—if only a local navy would be a /stepping stone to Imperial thought Australia had been treated indulgently in the past. That was the secret of the wave of enthusiasmjwhich had resulted in the recent offers of New Zealand and the Commonwealth. He was delighted that the new Government of the latter bad adopted the people’s wishes. Australia was not ready to adopt universal training. It involved many problems. fHa doubted the wisdom of attempting to force it at the present stage.

Lord Roberts said the chief danger of England was that she had enjoyed so long supremacy of the seas that security on land was apt to be regarded as a Used condition. He. believed that a new era had commenoed. It might require the whole Empire to justify its existence. Nothing but forethought and preparation could make her ready for a great emergency. Mr Eink rhoved a resolution in favour of universal training. He said the Commonwealth’s latest offer was not intended to interfere with the provision of local defence, which should be subordinate to Imperial needs. He believed it was Australia’s desire that the nation’s manhood should be trained so that if an emergency arose they could be organised into efficient military units.

Mr Mark Cohen, New Zealand, seconded the motion. He said the Colonies spent large sums on education, and surely it was rightful to ask for some return of that expenditure for the purposes of defence. After the words of warning from Lord Roberts and other statesmen who had spoken before that Conference it was useless to take further notice of those “armchair critics” who dreaded compulsion. He advised that Lord Roberta should be sent as a missionary of Empire.

Several,- speakers objected to the resolution as outside the object of the meeting, and the resolution was withdrawn.

Mr James O. Fairfax, Sydney, said if the forces overseas undertook an importaant share of Imperial defence, some steps would be required to give them a share in the guidance of those forces. Further questions might arise respecting a share in decisions upon peace or war. Though he himself was not a militant federationist, the points he touched ought net to pass unheeded. Lord Roberts said if the resolution had beenjpassed he would have supported it, because the voluntary system had utterly failed, and modern warfare required training.

The Lord Mayor entertained the delegates and a hundred others at luncheon.

ENTERTAINMENTS FOR THE VISITORS. Recr'ivcd/June 11, 8.15 a m. London, Jnue 10, Whila delegates were at the T Mansi.House the Victoria League .» :_gavo ii lotiohfioa to the ladies at iHyde Park Hotel.

Countesses Jersey and Crewe and Ladies Beaconsfield and Northoote, Miss Balfour, Mesdames Harconrt, Lyttelton, Gladstone and Ansteh Chamberlain were hostesses. The Labour Party entertained the delegates at tea on the terrace of the House of Commons. No speeches were made. Later the delegates and ladies motored to Ranelagh Club, where Mrs Pearson gave them a banquet. Mr Pearson, who had done much towards organising the Conference, was absent'owing to an operation to his eyes. The beautiful grounds were illuminated.

PRESS COMMENTS. The newspapers of every party continue to devote columns to the Conference and leaders daily. Many delegates are anxious to restrict to-day's discussion on literature in order to continue the Imperial defence debate. The Daily Mail comments on the astonishing unanimity disfdaied by the 1 Conference upon the Navy •though the subject la fraught with all the elements of political controversy. Sir B, Grey agrees with Lord Rosebery, and Mr Balfonr with Sir E. Grey, and Mr Haldane with Mr Balfonr.

LITERATURE AND JOURNALISM.' The Conference discussed literature and journalism. • Brilliant speeches were made by Lord Morley, the Chairman, Lord Milner, Messrs Churchill. Birrell, W. L. Courtney and others, including Sir Edward Russell, Messrs Douglas (Auckland), Bnglehery (Pretoria) and Banerjee. The Conference has adjourned till the 25th, when it will resume the discussion of the question of defence.