Speaking at Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday, Sir Ian Hamilton
said that Australia and New Zealand were taking extraordinary precautions for defence, because distances were being shortened every day, and the Pacific was "the meeting. ground, not of nations, but of continents." On that ocean it might be decided whether Europeans or Asiatics were to guide the destinies of the planet. Foreigners who lived on rice and monopolized business were invading British countries. This was a real danger. Sir Ian Hamilton is evidently much in sympathy with the Australasian point of view. A few days ago he announced—we welcome the news heartily—that, as a result of his experience of compulsory service in Australia and New Zealand, he had considerably modified his objections to that system. Now perhaps be also appreciates, if he does not adopt, the Australasian opinion that from a naval stand- point the Anglo-Japanese Alliance is an insufficient protec- tion for Australasia. The Admiralty assumes it to be enough; assures Australians and New Zealanders that they are safe ; and exhorts them to devote their naval enthusiasm to the support of the Imperial Squadron some thousands of miles away. But it is easeptial that the Dominions should have confidence, and this they have not got whether the Admiralty be right or not. A Conference has been asked for by Australia, and should, we think, be arranged.
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