THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1909. THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND NAVAL POLICY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3219, 17 June 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDA Y, JUNE 17, 1909. THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND NAVAL POLICY.

The Imperial Press Conference promises to become memorable as having provided an occasion for the discussion of Empire issues at a time when they were signally vital. Coming on the heels of the naval awakening as,it does, the Conference practically punctuates a period.in the national history, and it is not surprising that the leading statesmen of England have taken advantage of it to impress the importance of this juncture on the colonial countries of the Empire, as well as to announce the policy of the Imperial Government on the over-topping question of defence. What is strikingly evident from the speeches of these leaders is an increasing sense in Great Britain of the evergrowing naval burden that country has to bear for the Empire's sake. A circumspect concession that the oversea dominions must decide for themselves whether they shall lend their shoulders to the carrying of that great dead weight, and what their several naval policies shall be, is everywhere noticeable; but equally so is Imperial readiness to receive whatever aid the colonies may be willing to give. Two apparently frequent hints of the Imperial attitude were given by the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Foreign Minister. Mr M'Kenna explained that the Admiralty was always ready to give advice on colonial strategic defence, but would not endeavour to force it on the colonial peoples. But the one does not necessarily follow on the other. The colonial Governments are generally willing enough to receive advice from the great expert naval department of the Empire, as has been notably instanced by Australian and New Zealand consultation with the Admiralty. There is no compulsion to act upon it if for any reason it is found inadvisable; and there is every reason why it should be acted upon, if possible, so as to aid'in systematise the Empire's naval establishment. Sir Edward Grey emphasised that, and seems to have done so with a special view to enlisting more sharply interested colonial sympathy, in the remark, "Our naval defence covers

the globe. We have no less responsibility in one part of the Empire than in another." Without suggesting any importunity in this, it seems safe to interpret it as a grave reminder how much Great Britain is doing for al! the Dominions, big and little, rich and poor alike. The outstanding effect of the Conference as far as it has gone is thus to impress more clearly and generally on the colonial mind the magnitude of Empire naval defence as an undertaking and its indispensable importance to every British country. The British fleet keeps our sea roads clear in addition to guaranteeing us all the privileges of everyday life and pro' gress that we enjoy. There has also to be taken into account, however, the inestimable blessing of national security and cohesiven«ss which comes direct from the navy to every colonial country. That—in the Empire as well as the colonial sensewould be worth making sacrifices for if they were necessary fas happily they are not), so that the Empire may keep what it has and develop it, as Sir Edward Grey put it. Great Britain's expansion is probably completed, territorially. She occupies as much space in the world as she can protect. The task is, indeed, to keep the Empire as it is intact. And if it overtaxes the energies of the people of Great Britain those of the colonies must help to bear the load, even if they are only moved by self-interest. The question is, however, whether the issue shall be let go on straining test—whether the colonies should not spontaneously make more substantial payment for the service they now get almost solely as the gift of the British taxpayer.