IMPERIAL PRESS CONGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 129, 29 June 1909, Page 2

IMPERIAL PRESS CONGRESS

NATIONAL DEFENCE. Loudon, June 21. At the Press Conference Ueueral French, m supporting the idea of Air. Haldane, .Secretary of State for War, for a uniformity in military methods by means of a general staff, dwelt on the importance of a Secretary for War in war time, and appealed to the press for help. Mr. TJioiuim Teuiperley (New South Wales) proposed a resolution that national defence for the Empire was the most iiigvnt question of the day. Mr. Uilliaui Stead made an impas-' sioned plea for pence, and declared that the preas of the Empire should be above all strife and keep a civil tongue towards the rest of the world. It was very well for an Australian delegate ko come and say " national defence." Tic most urgent question for him was to fill Australia with white people. Mr. .). A. Muedoniu.l Uuronto) described the motion as -'feckless, thewless and pithless." Mr. E. S. Cunningham (Melbourne) declared that it was a superfluity. The Hon. Theo Fink (Melbourne) impressed his hearty appreciation of British statesmanship. The meeting finally decided not to put any resolution on record. The |press delegates gave an "at home" at Waldorf Hotel. Tiie guests included Sir Edward Grey, Lord and Lady Northcote, Lord and Lady ' Middleton, Lord and Lady Northclifl'e, the Lord Mayor of London, and the AgentsGeneral, 'file members of the conference committee made a presentation to Mr. H. E. Brittnin, and to Miss Violet Brooke Hunt. lion, secretary of. the ladies' committee. The delegates are considering an invitation to meet in ; Winnipeg in 1012.