1290 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [PART V 
Dominion, should the Dominions desire to assist in the 
defence of the Empire in a real emergency their forces could 
be rapidly combined into one homogeneous Imperial Army. 
Naval defence was discussed at meetings of the Conference 
eld at the Foreign Office on August 3, 5, and 6. The 
Admiralty memorandum which had been circulated to the 
Dominion representatives formed the basis of the preliminary 
~onferences. 
The alternative methods which might be adopted by 
Dominion Governments in co-operating in Imperial Naval 
Defence were discussed. New Zealand preferred to adhere 
to her present policy of contribution ; Canada and Australia 
preferred to lay the foundation of fleets of their own. It was 
recognized that in building up a fleet a number of conditions 
should be conformed to. The fleet must be of a, certain size, 
in order to offer a permanent career to the officers and men 
engaged in the service ; the personnel should be trained and 
disciplined under regulations similar to those established in 
the Royal Navy, in order to allow of both interchange and 
union between the British and the Dominion Services ; and 
with the same object, the standard of vessels and armaments 
should be uniform. 
A remodelling of the squadrons maintained in Far Eastern 
waters was considered on the basis of establishing a Pacific 
fleet, to consist of three units in the East Indies, Australia, 
and China seas, each comprising, with some variations, a 
large armoured cruiser of the new Indomitable type, three 
second-class cruisers of the Bristol type, six destroyers of the 
River class, and three submarines of “ C ’ class. 
The generous offer, first of New Zealand and then of the 
Commonwealth Government, to contribute to Imperial naval 
defence by the gift each of a battleship was accepted with 
the substitution of cruisers of the new Indomitable type for 
battleships—these two ships to be maintained one on the 
China and one on the Australian station. 
Separate meetings took place at the Admiralty with the 
representatives of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and 
general statements were agreed to in each case for further 
consideration by their respective Governments. 
As regards Australia, the suggested arrangement is that 
with some temporary assistance from Imperial funds the 
Commonwealth Government should provide and maintain 
the Australian unit of the Pacific fleet. 
The contribution of the New Zealand Government would 
be applied towards the maintenance of the China unit. of