EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3196, 24 May 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

HOW NEW ZEALAND COULD BEST HELP, HOME DEFENCE AND CRUISERS. VIEWS OF LORD BERESFORD. MORE BATTLESHIPS WANTED, no causfTfor PANIC. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received May 23, 4.55 p.m. LONDON, May 22. Lord Northcote presided at the Australian banquet at the Trocadero, 190 persons being present. Lord Beresford, who was the guest of the evening, said that the Dominion of New Zealand could best help Britain, not by spending two millions on a battleship to serve in British waters but by making efforts to defend herself Tb.3 only way the Dominion can be hum is by cutting the trade routes. Torpedoes and submarines in Dominion waters would not avert that danger. It was most unlikely that foreign cruisers would enter any harbour in the Dominion and blow a town to pieces, but on the other hand it would attack the water-borne commerce. The investment of two millions in home defence and in. cruisers, which would protect the trade routes, would be a better investment than that of helping to defend Britain's shores. Com mencing with cruisers the oversea Dominions eventually Have larger craft. They could have fleets ready and equipped before the Rosyth base was finished. It was essential that these fleets should be -controlled and administered by the Dominionconcerned. In war they should join the Imperial fleet, and in peace let the Dominion cruisers join the Mediterranean fleet, and vice versa. Officers aud men could be interchangeable, and that would be an efficient method of making the Imperial navy. Then when any component part of the Empire was attacked the whole Empire could go as cne great service to its assistance. Australia had got splendid men, but proper training was essential.' They cannot learn their duties in a month, a year, or even two years. If things go on as they are now it would be impossible to maintain the two-power standard, but that could easily be kept up if we have an Imperial navy. He considered that it was absolutely necessary that eight battleships should be built this year, but these would be insufficient for the fleet we shall have to form owing to deferred obligations during the last four years. There was, however, no need for a panic.

SPEECH BY HON. ALFRED LYTTLETON. Received May 23, 5.30 p.m. LONDON, May 22. The r-Rignt ■ tfon. Alfred Lyttleton (Liberal Unionist M„P). presided at tha Colonial Institute banquet. During the course of his speech, Mr Lyttelton said that he considered that the part Britain's overseas Dominion's would play during the next century largely depended on the forthcoming Defence conference, He was, he said, in absolute acedru with Canada and Australia in their desire to possess th?ir own navies. Everything ought to be done to foster the spirit of nationality in the colonies. Thus Britain would derive greater benefit than from mere contributions, and he believed this was the present Government's view. It was necessary, however, for these navies to have their place in the Imperial organisation, and time would be required to form national defences and exercise them in readiness for war. The coming Defence Conference might supply the formula of union which was at present missing. When Australia and Canada arrived in full stature they would take their, natural places among the forces of the Empire as a whole under comprehensive patriotism. He referred, amid cheers, to New Zealand's splendid audacity in offering two Dreadnoughts.

A REASSURING STATEMENT. Received May 23, 5.30 p.m. LONDON, May 22. Speaking at Lowestoft, Dr. T. J. Macnamara (Parliamentary Secretary of the Admiralty) announced that by Easter 1912 theßritish fleet would be so strengthened that Germany could not approach us, and ours being the latest and most efficient types of vessels should add a margin of superiority Several newspapers report that owing to tb.3 revival of the. Triple Alliance, and the building of Dread-, noughts by Italy and Austria, the Government are building eight Dreadnoughts during the present financial year besides accelerating the production of guns„and armour. The Hon. H. H. (Prime Minister) is to be questioned in the House of Commons on the subject.