DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 2, 27 December 1912, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

THE HON. J. ALLEN’S TOUR

Sydney, December 24. Mr Allen conferred with the mem hers of the Commonwealth Defence Council on the naval policy of tin Pacific. Mr Pearce stated that tin proceedings were confined to inform ing Mr Allen what the Commonwealth was doing. Mr Allen evinced tin most friendly feeling to Australia anc approached the question with an open sympathetic, mind. He thought tliai as the result of his visits to the Commonwealth and England, Mr Allei would form some valuable opinions oi defence. He added that the outlooh can he described as hopeful. Mr Fisher said that there was never am antagonism in the Imperial Defence Conference to the idea of joint actioi by the dominions in the South Pacific. It was really a matter for New Zealand to decide. Mr Allen’s mission was one of enquiry only. Melbourne, December 2G. Mr Fisher expressed appreciation o' Mr Allen’s visit. “We in Australia,” he said, ‘benefit greatly by the op pnrtunity of conversing with' New Zca land Ministers. It enables us t: learn their views at first hand upon important questions affecting the in terests of the Dominion and the Commonwealth, and to convey our opinions similarly to them.”