The Empire in Conference
The arrival of representatives of the Dominions and of India to confer with the War Cabinet marks an important stage in the co-operation of the whole Empire in the war. Each of these countries is already actively engaged in pre- parations for its own defence and for the assistance of Great Britain. Australia and Canada are rapidly recruiting and training men for their armies, the extent to which they will send forces to Europe being a question to be settled with the War Cabinet and in accordance with needs. Canada is preparing a great air-training scheme for the whole of the Empire, and Australia, whilst developing her own air-power to the utmost at home, will at the start con- centrate on co-operation in the Canadian scheme rather than on sending immediately, as at first contemplated, a large expeditionary Air Force to this country. South Africa will be especially concerned in watching Imperial interests in Africa and guarding our sea communications at vital points between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. But direct military help is not the only service which the Dominions can render to the Empire. In organising and increasing supplies of food and raw materials they have a great part to play in the war economy of the Empire, and it will be a function of this country to provide them with machines or parts of machines for war manufactures, which they hope to push forward rapidly.
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