IMPERIAL DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 97, 21 May 1909, Page 2

IMPERIAL DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

CANADIAN' PARTICIPATION. Received 20, 10.55 p.m. Ottawa, May 20. Correspondence between Earl Crew< (Secretary of State for the Colonies) tnd Karl Grey (Governor-General u( Janadn) law been published a'. Ottawa. It .shows that the acceptance of the Imperial Defence Conference was grudging,. and almost extorted by Earl Crewe* skilful manoeuvring. Earl Crewe trammilted the invitation by the British Premier as President of the Conference to the Canadian Premier. Karl Grey replied that the Canadian Ministers had insufficient information to warrant their advising as to the ueces s'ity of such a formal conference in advance of the conference of 1911. Two Canadian .Ministers, however, would leave shortly to discuss with the Admiralty the best method! of carrying out the resolution of Parliament, but they were quite willing to defer tlie visit until July, if the Imperial authorities preferred. Earl Crewe replied expressing the Imperial Government's gratification at the readiness of the Dominion to participate in the conference, THE CANADIAN PREMIER'S EXPLANATION. Rcceivod May 21, 0.20 a.m. Ottawa, May 20. Replying to questions relating to tV Imperial Defence Conference, Sir Wilfrid Lauricf (Premier), speaking in tlie Dominion House of Commons, said he was aware of the resolution concerning the nucleus of a Canadian navy as a contribution to the defence of the Empire 'had not given satisfaction to certain sections of Canadian opinion. The more advanced section favored a money con trilmtion to tlie United Kingdom t> strengthen the navy. With that view ho did not agree. Ho realised that Cv pada should act fairly and squarely, nnd, if possible, provide her own defene*. After the resolution had been passed he informed the Imperial aullioritict Hint he thought it would not be w ! »e for Hie Canadian navy to be a part of the Imperial navy, lint that any action taken should be in accordance with the Admiralty views. While the correspond enec was in progress, an invitation to the subsidiary conference in .Till? wai received.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier admitted, in re. ply tis a question, that he had acquiesced in his last despatch.