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The Press Club. 6 and 7 Wine Office Court, Dbab Sib Jos—a Ward,—' Fleet Street. E.C., 30th July, 1909. You were good enough to say that you would go into m\ Imperial Scholarship scheme with me after the Defence Conference. It has just occurred to me that it would then be rather late for me to approach the other Premiers. If you consider the matter important wdl you give me an early appointment if possible 1 I am going into it with Lord Northcliffe now. and am expecting important developments soon. I should not trouble you, but time is getting short. Vims, ftc., P. A. Vaii.k. Press Club, Fleet Street, Hi:m,- Sib Joseph Ward,— London. E.C., 19th July. 1909. I wrote you n my Imperial Scholarship scheme, addressing my letter to catch you at Port Said. You have. loubt, read that letter. I am sending you herewith copy of a letter which appeared in the Evening Standard and Si. James* Gazette. The writer has slightly misunderstood my idea. It is wider than he thinks. Things seem to be progressing very quickly in connection with the scheme. I had a consultation with Mr. Hall-Jones about it. and he, with much foresight ami kindness, suggested that 1 should write YOU laying the present position before you briefly, so that you may understand it fully before you are caught up in the whirl of your London engagements. You have, of course, had the scheme, and have probably seen the reports of my interview with Lord Milne]-. lie sa \ s it is of'greater importance to the Empire than the Rhodes scheme. The day the article I sent you appeared, the first scholarship, of £1,306, was guaranteed. That, however, is a small matter. 1 can get the money I wan* in England without trouble, for they recognise now the magnitude of the idea, but I want it to come from New Zealand. I want New Zealand to Start it. Within the last year New Zealand has added £60,000 per annum, equal to interest on about £2,000,000 per annum, and has promised a two million-pound warship, with another if required a mere matter of a liability, assured and contingent, equal to a Capital of £6,000,000. Now. if we oan rightly ami joyfully do this and it was nobly done we need not shrink from a small liability which should go far to prevent the necessity for these great sums: for. properly carried out. it will put our Empire away from everything else unapproachable, unassailable. My suggestion is that, provided you agree with the idea generally held here of the scheme. New Zealand should offer, say. £25,000 to start it if the other States ami Dominions will come in on the same lines. It will lie another world-educating coup such as your splendid decision with regard to the Dreadnought. It was the moral effect the instantaneous, spontaneous speaking for a young and vigorous people by a man who knew the right thing to do. and who was bold enough to interpret his country's sentiment As you were backed up in that instance, so I believe would you l>c in this. Possibly some one of the States would not come in. In that case you could reconsider your decision, and make whatever offer you thought (it ; but 1 feel strongly that, if this thing is going to be the stupendous organization prophesied by those who ought to know, its lesson of Imperialism should be sent forth to the world with all dramatic I use the word advisedly—force and effect possible. If you had offered the Dreadnought a v th after yon did, the offer would have fallen "stone cold." It, was the sentiment. It showed the value of the children of the Empire. So I wanted to be with this. I have been engaged on it for four years. If it is right, who should first see it and show it my mother State, and how greater the force and effect if the States of the Empire start it! England must (and will willingly) come in then. I am hoping that soon after your arrival you will be able to give me an appointment, and that you will V able to make the announcement suggested by me shortly after, and to arrange if possible for the oversea Premiers to consider the proposal. I hope you will not think that I am importunate in this matter. I am putting it as plainly and clearly as 1 can. for I know its importance to the Empire, but I shall not try to persuade any one to come into this thing with me. As I told Lord Milner. if the thing is not good enough to bring the man in. T do not want him. T'nless it is great enough and good enough to bring you and New Zealand in, I do not want either. Nothing less is g 1 enough. It has to be great enough to attract and. having attracted. to inspire all those who will work for it. Tf I find it cannot do this, T shall not be with it very long : but I have no doubt. I shall hope to hear from you as soon as you can conveniently manage it. when T could explain anything about which you may be uncertain. On Mr. Hall-Jones's suggestion I am duplicating this letter and sending one to the Hotel Cecil. London, and the other to the P. and O. s.s. "China " to catch yon at Marseilles. I hope you will consider the importance of the subject and the position it has already taken in this country sufficient excuse for my troubling you with the matter. I am, tee., P. A. Vaile. Mi;. ValLß'b, IMPERIAL SCHOLARSHIP ScHKMK. (To the Editor of the Evening Standard mnl Si. James's Gnzrttr.l Sir,— I was very pleased with "A New Zealand Editor's" able and sympathetic letter, and with his promise of active support on his return to the Dominion.