The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 8. IMPERIAL NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 87, 8 May 1909, Page 2

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 8. IMPERIAL NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Even the wonderful advance of Imperial sentiment that prompted the first Colonial Conference and led to the convening of the second, or Imperial Conference, dwarfs to insignificance beside tiie possibilities for the future of tilt-. Empire opened up by the proposed imperial Xava] Conference to be held in London in the course of « few weeks. Hitherto the British navy, at Britain - * expense, has practically had to accept the whole responsibility for the defence of each and every portion of the Empire, notwithstanding that to all intents and purposes the great majority of the component parts of the Empire were free and independent. For very many years Britain's willingness to carry the" burden was accepted by colonials "in the spirit of an obligation, but within the last few years, prompted largely by the South African war ew feeling of partnership in the obligations and responsibilities of the Empire las grown in intensity throughout the Dominions, aid now is the dominating sentiment in Imperial thought. Every colony is beginning to realise for itself the absolute necessity of preparing 'ror defence. It is neither politic nor reasonable to expect that the taxpayers of the .Mother Country shall continue to bear the total cost' of building, manning, and maintaining 11 navy which largely exists for the protection and commerce of affluent colonies. Xew Zealand's and Australia's contributions to the navy are merely | practical acknowledgments of Hie tact that the Dominion and the Commonwealth recognise their dependence on the navy; the contributions arc not considered to represent adequate payment for services rendered or value received. But in so far as thry represented the colonics' ability to pay according to their means, the contributions have been gratefully accepted by Great Britain. The recent naval scare, if such it might be termed, has done more to direct publie attention throughout every unit of the Empire to this big question than all the actions of Parliaments. The people have given thought to tiie possible consequences to themselves should Britain's naval supremacy be lost, and it is universally acknowledged that her preeminent position as .Mistress of the Sjiis must be maintained'at all hazards, The danger is not a momentary one; it is one that is only in the beginning. The increasing naval programmes of rival Powers is yearly reducing Britain's Accepted margin of safety, and even the present relative positions may only be maintained by greatly increased expenditure. While there is yet no immediate danger, it is therefore the pr - per time to thoroughly consider the whole question of Imperial defence. Whether or not the various colonies are to individually accept the. responsibility of defending their shores, or whether there is to be a common concentration of energy on a common imperial navy are questions upon which opinion is not unanimous. That a workable understanding between the various Dominions and the Mother Country can be arranged there is little doubt, and it may only be completed by a comprchcTisivc con-

i fcrcncc i-<'j)icsrnfiiti\;<' of every unit of the Empire. The- whole question is one fraught willi the gi-vcst consequences for the future safety of tfi,. Empire, ami it is in a way to be regretted that so early a ilate as July lias neon fixed for the.conference. It is imperative, ill view of the importance of UK>, subji'f I to. he considered, tliat every colony siionld oe directly represented by men conversant with the facts.and with the policies which the counlrics they represent are prepared to accept. The conference should meet prepared to discuss practical, not academic, proposals. Only hy this means can it lie possible to find a common basis of agreement for a truly workable Imperial navy policy. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the Government of Now Zealand will not be satislicd with proxy representation, but, despite the incon-. venience, that a responsible delegate will be sent from the. Dominion,