IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 26 April 1907, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

VOLUNTARY CO-OPERATION IN DEFENCE. TRUE NOTE OF IMPERLAUSM. London, April 24. The newspapers welcome the project of voluntary co-operation of the Empire's forces. The Morning Post says Jlr Haldane's memorandum sounds a true note of Imperial statesmanship, seeking not centralised control but rather unity of aim. It is time the Admiralty realised that the Navy was made for the Empire, not the Kmpire for the Navy, it is as important to recognise the national aspirations impelling Australia and Canada to Insist on controlling their own forces as that the sea is the highway of the Empire. Common method in preparations directed to a common object, therefore, regulated by common principles which ui.ij oe agreed upon by the several Governments, is a method adaptable to naval equally to military problems. In neither case i< it incompatible with unity of control through the spontaneous action of several Governments when emergency arises. The Morning Leader declares that the Secretariat will be a civil link of the Empire and the Imperial Staff a military link. It is easy ..o see advantages and equally easy the dangers, boih being reaL Their virtue must reside not in organisation but iu the men working it. While the spirit that made the Empire remains the Empire will not be ■wrecked. • Reuter learns that the suggestion that Mr Botha intends to propose a epjeclal Transvaal force is incorrect. If special Transvaal force is incorrect. If will not be confined to one State, but be common to the whole of South 'Africa. THE ADMIRALTY'S PROPOSAL. COLONIAL PREMIERS TAKE TIME TO CONSIDER. London, April 24. At th2 Conference, Lord Tweedmouth explained that the Admiralty's one aim is to maintain the fleet on a scale ensuring the retention of British Supremacy. He did not desire to press further contributions of men or money, but cordially welcomed the co-operation of the colonies in the form most agreeable to themselves. Whether they contributed or not the Admiralty would do its best to secure them from oversea attack. He expressed the hope that the discussion would show that it is possible to satisfy both Australian and New Zealand views. The Admiralty wag not opposed to the policy Australia i particularly favored, but indicated a. desire to retain control of local ships. The colonial representatives have been inyited to confer separately with the Admiralty. Mr Deakin remarked that the Admiralty's attitude had been altered several times. He withheld his views of the general policy which lord Tweedmouth indicated until his speech was printed. He admitted that he personally desired to see the Australian naval subsidy diverted tfroin the coffers of the Admiralty and expended more acceptably in Australian docks or coaling facilities. He emphasised the desirability of Austra- ; llan factories supplying ammunition, inducing big gun ammunition for the squadrons of Australasia, China, and India, enabling the establishment »f ' much larger lactones than the local '■ supply would warrant. ' Sir Joseph Wara* also declined to dis- ' cuss the general principle at present. '• -He expressed the hope that the policy 1 New Zealand desired would be carried ' out without impeding Australia's morrow. After renewal of the discussion it was ' decided to adjourn t|he question o; j naval defence to a later Bitting. The Conference has adjourned till tomorrowk. ! AUSTRALIAN STATES' REPRESEN- ' TION. PUBLICATION OF CORRESPONDENCE ] MR. CARRUTHERS' PUERILE ] THREAT. ; Received 26th. 12.7 a.m. Melbourne, April 20. ' The whole of the correspondence in connection with the State Premiers' demand to be represented at the Imperial Conference has been published. Mr. Deakin, writing to Lord Elgin, in reply to Mr Carruthers' representations, declared that to approve the participation of the States would be to admit that the existence of the Commonwealth was altogether unnecessary. He characterised , Mr. Carruthers' memorandum as irrelevant and unconstitutional, excepting for the preposterous assumption that unless the States were admitted to the Conference, they will regard less the ties with the Motherland, and encourage a spirit of independence of an authority which refuses to sympathise with them. Such a suggestion, said Mr. Deakin, scarcely deserves comment He added that excepting in the ranks of a certain number of State politicians, who for personal reasons resent limitation of their powers, there was no dissatisfaction with the proposed constitution of the Conference. AUSTRALIA'S NAVAL PROJECTS. Received 26th, 1.28 a.m. London, April 25. Mr. Deakin and Sir W. Lyne, iu a preliminary interview with Lord Tweedmouth, discussed Australia's naval projects. Lord Tweedmouth said the Admiralty was content to let matters re- i main untouched, but was willing to consider fresh suggestions, Mr. Deakin is hopeful that they will be able to arrange satisfactory terms.