EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9610, 2 October 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

A COMBINED FLEET.

MR A. DEAKIN'S VIEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph * Copyright. Received October 1, 10.35 a.m. MELBOURNE, October I. The Federal Prime Minister, Mr Deakin, referring to the published correspondence with New Zealand regarding a combined fleet, said he took it that the ships in New Zealand watere would necessarily co-oper-ate with the Australian unit in war. and probably on occasions in time of peace. At the same time, added Mr Deakin, he ~ventured_J.o "ssyn.g that an Australasian naval force, supported by the Commonwealth and the Dominion, in proporion to their population or shipping, as the case might be, would prubably be found to furnish 'the best guarantee protection of our ocean highways and shores.

RESOLUTIONS OF CANADIAN FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

Received October 1, 10.5 p.m. OTTAWA, October 1

The annual convention of the Canadian Federation of Labour held at

Ottawa adopted the General Executive's report in favour of voluntary service in accordance with Canada's militia system a.id against the regular army. I The Federation also approved of a naval policy consistent with Canada's necessities and resources acting in harmony with other portions of the Empire, but preserving complete autornony in the matter of control, and, furthermore, that all warships or military equipment for Canada must as far as possible be built in Canada. THE INDIAN ARMY. Received October 1, 11 p.m. LONDON, October 1. A Simla correspondent states that measures have been practically completed for the including of the army of India within the scheme of the Imperial General Staff.