TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 11 October 1913, Page 5

TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

THE TASK OF NATIONHOOD

'Times'—'Sydney Sun' Special Cables, (Received Oct. 10, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON. Oct. 9.

The Times, in a leader, after making commendatory reference to Sydney's enthusiasm over the Australian fleet's welcome, says —"Australians have taken the tasks of nationhood seriously, and now see their efforts embodied' in the firm grey outlines of their own ships. The problem in particular—the maintaining of adequate security in the Pacific —is one which Australia shares with Canada and New Zealand as well as with Britain. It is manifest that no Dominion can face the task single-handed, arid it is equally manifest that the matter of joint provision requires thorough consultation and some give and take. For these reasons, we strongly support the holding of a Pacific Defence Conference. There is little doubt that such, a conference will be held sooner or later, but it is obvious that the conditions of the moment make it impracticable for any British Minister to undertake a voyage in the present state of politics. It is probable that Canada may desire to postpone the conference until her own Parliamentary situation is less equivocal, and that General Bortha would hardly attend a conference in the thick of the controversies with which the Union is at present occupied. However, those are illinformed who declare that the British or' any other Government does not desire to see the conference proposal realised as soon as circumstances permit."

SPEECH BY SIR W. LAURIER

(Received <&ct. 10, 9.40 a.m.) QUEBEC, Oct. 9

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Leader of the Canadian Opposition, referring to the naval question, said that at all of the four Imperial Conferences he had attended the' consistent attitude was maintained that Canada would attend to her own defence on sea and land, according as her, wealth permitted. The Empire would only live uip to local autonomy when Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa had fleets of their own. All will do a great deal for tlhe peace of the world.