IMPERIAL INTERESTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3, 8 May 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL INTERESTS.

DANCER JN OVERSEAS.

INTERNAL POLITICS AND DEFENCE. [By Electkic Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] London, May 6. The Telegraph says that the highest Imperial interests are being endangered owing to the increasing absorption of British Ministers in cho internal politics of Overseas States and concentrating their attention on defence. Their public men must necessarily be unfamiliar with technical questions, resulting in individual sections of the Empire blindly searching for foundations whereon # to base a policy consistent with their own needs, and permanent co-operation to safeguard the Empire. Even New Zealand is intent on developing a local policy,' and it is reported is anxious to retain her gift of a battleship for the Pacific. Every discussion of naval problems reveals the absence of unity between the Admiralty and the overseas colonies. The only remedy if a conference. Instead of dealing with Mr Borden alone last summer there should have been an Empire conclave. The solution was an immediate Imiperial conference.

COMPULSORY TRAINING

London, May 7

Speaking at the Colonial Institute, General Hutton said that he once personally advocated a voluntary system, but no Government was strong enough to carry it out. Therefore he favoured compulsory training in England.

RECIPROCAL TRADE

London, May 7

Mr Watt, in a paper read before the Colonial Institute, dealing with the Commonwealth constitution, referring to reciprocal trade, said that John Bull, Junior, had a right to speak freely in the House of John Bull, Senior. Personally, he was more than ever convinced of the insecurity of an insular community depending upon foreigners for two-fifths of its food. The Dominions were rich to suffocation in productive powers, and Providence clearly intended that they should have a partnership in interimperial trade. Sir Joseph Ward declared that there were difficulties in the way of reciprocal trade. He instanced New Zealand’s efforts in 1895 with Canada and South Africa.