DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 33, 7 February 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Loudon, February G. The Times congratulates Australia on the rapid headway of the navy she already has in embryo. A new centre with first basis establishments is required for her to build and man her own fleet in the Pacific. The Pacific is not at present a threatened sphere, and there is time for her to frame her policy in accordance with the desires of the various dominions.

Tho Standard pays a tribute to Australia’s efforts, as evidenced by the cruisers Melbourne, Sydney and Australia. Though units of the fleet, intended primarily for self-defence, they will also uphold Britain’s supremacy in far-off seas.

The National Service League, in a manifesto to its fellow citizens, says that the country is unprepared, and invites attacks. It does not propose conscription, but a democratic defence force, based on the universal training of all able-bodies youths, without distinction of class. No citizen should bo compelled to serve broad, even in war time. Officers ought to be 'promoted from the ranks, for merit alone. Precautions similar to those in Australia and New Zealand should be taken to prevent employers penalising the workers. SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. London, February G. At the leather-sellers’ dinner, Sir Joseph Ward was the principal guest. In proposing the “Imperial Forces,” he said that practically' every man and woman, in New Zealand favoured compulsory military service. While Sir Joseph thought that the military defence of the country should be based on a compulsory system, they had no right to expect New Zealanders to be sent for military service outside, except as volunteers.