The Daily News SATURDAY, AUGUST 7. IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 166, 7 August 1909, Page 2

The Daily News SATURDAY, AUGUST 7. IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

The speech delivered l>y Sir J. U. Ward at the luncheon tendered to him liy members of Parliament, which was held within Hie precincts of the House of Commons, cannot fail to meet with the approval of the people of this dominion. The l'rinie Minister rose, to the occasion; he well fulfilled the duty which devolved upon hhii of making clear to the people of the Kmpire and the world that Xew Zealand is prepared to make any sacrifice that necessary to uphold the power and dignity of'the Empire of which she is a component part. It is gratifying to learn that the same spirit which prompted the offer of a Dreadnought by Xew Zealand pervades, without an exception, all the other selfgoverning dominions of the Empire. All recognise that there is a community ot interest and, as regards the ollslioots of the Homeland, a community also of ull'ccliou for the land from which they sprung—affection wanned by the recollection of the guidance and protection they have experienced during tiie period of their adolescence. For many years the Old Country, without fee or reward, protected the young colonics irom interference by predatory nations; and, ii: the case of New Zealand, took a:i active part in quelling the serious native wars in order to make a pioneer settleinenl possible. Their moral debts to the Old Country the dominions are now prepared to pay, and New Zealand will readily fall in witli any arrangement that may be decided upon by the Defence Conference now sitting in Luiu , to provide for proportionately giiar.u,; the cost of the .burden of defence essential to the maintenance and prosperity of each ami every part of the Kmpire. It is a recognised principle thali-* responsibility and taxation should be coincident with representation, -ill. Ascruith has endorsed tins theory; he has announced, that there is to be colonial representation on the Imperial Defence Committee. This is the first stage in tins direction lu.it the self-governing dominions shall have equitable representation at the council table of the Empire. Mr. Chamberlain's dream ot imperial unity is certainly being brought witmu measurable distance of realisation; not, however, by the inducement of pwju'txed markets, but on the common ground of defence, individual and Imperial. The new responsibilities imposed on Xew Zealand and all the other dominions, as pai'tmrs in the fabric ol Empire, must necessaii,, mean increased financial obligations, but we are convinc- | ed they will be cheerfully accipted.