THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 110, 25 September 1912, Page 5

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

INTERESTING SPEECHES, By iTelegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Two interesting speeches were deliv-i ered at the Navy League Conference today, Mr. R. McLean (Napier) presiding. The Governor struck a high Imperial note for closer union between the different, parts of the Empire through an Imperial Council. "I would," His Excellency said, "venture to say that I hope in the not very distant future the self-governing Dominions will assume full statutory partnership in the responsibilities and obligations, as well as the privileges and advantages of Empire., I hope the time is very near for a'modification of the existing relations between the Mother Country and the Dominions, which would provide for the admission of the people of the oversea Dominions and possessions to a common citizenship . of an Imperial character, with an adequate measure of representation in an Imperial Council. The idea, be continued, had undergone considerable development, and he hoped the Council, at no distant date, would take on more of an Imperial nature, with representatives oi the Dominions in an advisory character. Mr. Allen, Minister of Defence, said he was quite sure the Governor's wordß would be welcomed throughout New Zealand. The people would be glad to hear that there was a possibility of New Zealand being taken somewhat more into the confidence of the Mother Country. New Zealand should shoulder her responsibilities, and as a return, receive the confidence of the Old Land. If they were to maintain ,the Empire tlw.ymust do a great deal more than they Were doing at present, and one great stimulus to the people of the Southern Pacific would come if the neeessity arose of having,ta face direct hostility to themselves.