THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1909. A NAVAL LEVY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9600, 21 September 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1909. A NAVAL LEVY.

An amendment to the Imperial Defence resolution at the Chambers of Commerce Congress, just concluded in Sydney, proposed to adjust naval contributions upon the basis of the proportion of export trade and shipping owned by the various parts of the Empire. This amendment was lost, and the general principle oi colonial participation in the cost of Imperial defence was affirmed. But J though the Congress very wisely declined to commit itself to any definite levy proposition, it is very probable that this will eventually become the only practical alternative to the colonial navy. It is apparently - possible to divide the oceans into 'lmperial marches,' and to confide the wardenship of each to the contiguous British States—when they are strong enough to assume that Imperial duty. This is what we may term the Australian plan. On the other hand, if we are to have an Imperial Navy, controlled by an Imperial authority—however that" authority may be constituted—it is p'ainly inevitable that some equitable form of contribution for its maintenance must be evolved. Even with its contribution of an Indom itable Dreadnought, New Zealand cannot be regarded as having reached the just limits of its share in the Imperial burden.. Owing to the irreconcilable difference between a "dominion" and a "dependency," including the stuoendous difference in wealth-producing capacity of British and alien populations, it is manifestly impracticable to place either contributions or representation upon a population basis. New Zealand has a million people; India has nearly 300 millions. But it may be equitable to contribute to naval defence upon a trading basis, which might be as equitable for India as for this Dominion, and—what is far more important—equitable to all the British States which may combine in supporting and controlling an Imperial naval organisation. The subject is a profound one, but the discussion in Sydney shows that it is not incapable of a satisfactory solution.