Imperial Defence.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1, 22 April 1914, Page 5

Imperial Defence.

REPORTED DIVERGENCES.

AUSTRALASIAN PROTESTS. IB* Elboteio Telbguaph—Copyright ) [United Press Association.] London, April 21. The Standard is informed on high authority that divergences have arisen between the Home Government and Australia and New Zealand, the latter insisting that there is no necessity for their being represented on the Committee of Imperial Defence unless there is full co-operation between themselves and the Mother Country in the Pacific. It is understood that Mr Asquith will shortly make a full statement in the House of Commons. Australia and New Zealand take the view that Imperialism is above party politics, and cannot be controlled exclusively by the British Cabinet. Tho position is so strained that the whole conception of Imperialism may be modified. The discussion is being carried on through Mr Harcourt and the Governor-General of Australia. New Zealand will not accept the Government's interpretation of the AngloJapanese Alliance.

"NOTHING FRESH." (Received 9.0 a.m.) Sydney, April 22. Mr Cook, referring to the Standard's statement regarding the defence of the Pacific, says there arb no divergences other than those already made known to the public. He knew no fresh view had been expressed by New Zealand or Australia, and there was nothing fresh in the whole situation beyond Mr Churchill's speech the other day. QUESTION IN THE COMMONS. (Received 8.55 a.m.) London, April 21. Mr Hall, member for Dulwich, asked whether Japan's obligations to protect British interests in the Pacific had undergone alterations since the last agreement with the Australasian Government's regarding the naval strength to be maintained by Britain in Australasian wate-rB. Mr Acland (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) replied that there had been no alteration in the squadron.

AUSTRALIAN COMMENT. THE POLICY ABANDONED. (Received 10.15 a.m.) The Herald in a leader on defence, says: It is satisfactory to Australians to find fliat New Zealand now stands side by side with regard to the whole problem. Recent statements by Mr Massey and Mr Allen make it abundantly clear that the profound wisdom to which Mr Churchill referred in hia speech has been replaced by profound distrust of the efficiency of a policy previously favored by Australia and New Zealand, but now abandoned equally definitely by both countries. BLUEBOOK CORRESPONDENCE. REASON FOR THE POSTPONEMENT OF CONFERENCE. (Received noon.) London, April 21. A Bluebook publishes the correspondence between Mr Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) and the Australasian Governments up to April Ist. The 'Commonwealth in August inquired regarding the non-provision of the China and East Indies units in pursuance of the 1909 arrangements, and asked whether circumstances had arisen to necessitate the alteration. An offer was made, if necessary, to attend a conference.

Mr Harcourt forwarded the Admiralty's reply concerning the carryingout of tho 1909 arrangements, and intimated that if the Commonwealth desired to confer, tho Imperial Government would welcome representatives in 1914. Mr Harcourt also invited the New Zealand Government to consider its participation. The Commonwealth replied in March that owing to the early meeting of Parliament it would be impossible to send a Minister to London in 1914, but suggested a full conference, including the representatives of all the self-governing Dominions. Mr Harcourt replied that in the circumstances the question of a defence conference must be postponed.