OUR NEW NAVAL POLICY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14842, 6 December 1913, Page 3

OUR NEW NAVAL POLICY.

BRITISH PRESS COMMENTS. ADMIRATION AND CRITICISM. (FKOJI.OCK OWN CORRESTONOr.MT-i LONDON, October 29. There is unstinted admiration voiced throughout the British Press to-day of the plucky action of New Zealand in ileciding on establishing the foundations of a local navy; but not a fow of the papers express regret that another of the Dominions should have been practically forced into the "maelstrom of armaments." "The- Times," which has the widest outlook of all on the naval question, says it is obvious that the new policy doss not touch at all the- deeper problems of unity in defence, "but it makes a new departure for New Zealand on lines which should stimulate the desiro of her people to give of their own brain and sinew to the task of maintaining tho supremacy of the Empire on tho seas intact. Mr Masscy's speech, when it reached this wider aspect of his subject, had a stirring and contidont ring, and New Zealand's past record is earnest of the spirit in which ehe will address herself to this new work." "Tho Times" does not so severely blame tho Admiralty for its failure to carry out the terms of the agreement of 1909 since the pressure of competition "has made it moro imperativo every year that the principle of 'like to like' should be rigidly observed in the distribution of British ships. The newest light cruisers can clearly not bo spared to tho Southern Pacific, whero taere are no ships of their &wn type, if they aro needed to meet such ships .in other parts of the world." In <( c ° m_ mon with several other papers, The Times" seems to take the view that in faco of the decision of the Admiralty there was no other course open to New Zealand than the one sho is taking, and it adds: "It is much to bo hoped that the principles governing the action of the Admiralty will be sej; out and appreciated in tie course of the debates on Mr Massoy's speech." Although the subsidy is dropped. "The Times" is glad to.know "that the battle cruiser Rew Zealand will remain with the Imperial fleet as a symbol of the wide Imperial patriotism of the country by which she was built."

As for the probable reception of the proposals in New Zealand, "The Times" says there was some fear that they would ■ provoke a difference of view on party lines. "Needless to say, a division of that kind-:—though emanating solely from a difference as to methods, and showing no less keenness on one side than on the other to increase the ■ participation of New Zealand in the tasks of Imperial defence— would have heen regarded in this country with much regret; and it is not the least merit of Mr Massey's proposals that they are unlikely to lead to any such result."

The "Daily Telegraph, ,, whose views throughout the whole of the Imperial defence controversy, have been the most stubborn, says, "On all hands nothing but admiration will be expressed at tho spirit which has led the Government of New Zealand to determine to establish a navy of its own. . . In what looks rather like desperation, Mr Massey's Cabinet, has abandoned the position which Sii 4 Joseph Ward occupied so manfully, and is about to start a local force. ... The spirit which has prompted this decision is magnificent, and will win the applause not only of the kindred peoples of the Empire, but of the world.!' But. the "Telegraph" bitterly "assails the policy which drove New Zealand to its resolve. .It.says:—"\Ve who are under the harrow of competition in naval armamen,ts c'aniibfc heip regretting'that tho youngeiv 'nations 6uouid bo.beginning to tread ! the path which we are bound to follow. Tiiey have iinmenae. liabilities to meet, if they are to develop their and cannot really afford such luxuries as navies. They havo sparse populations, which are increasing .only •'■ very slowly, and they have no margin to spare with .which to man ships of war. They are under the shelter of a mighty fleet which, in association with a firmly and pruciontlr directed foreign policy, gives them complete security against any possible enemy. They may spend to the uttermost farthing which can be extracted from their peoples, and yet they wilj do little to make themselves relatively ,more secure against any Power in tho Pacific —tho United States , or Japan—and by their efforts they will do nothing material ia cementing the strength of the Empire, or in assisting io Jl other Country to bear tho grievous burdens which press on her bhoulders. . SmalU navies are always <$*>%> and usually inefficient. Mr Asquith has just stated in reference to tho Ulster crisis that 'ho and his colleagues are perfectly ready to take part ■in an interchange of views and suggestions, free frank, and without prejudice' This is tho policy which should have been adopted in naval matters before New Zealand took the plunge.into tho 'vortex of armam nits' rivalry which is announced to-day. At a comparatively small cost, they could have cooperated with us; to their advantage and ours; at a heavy cost which will grow like some wizard's gourd they are starting navies of their own. Wo applaud the courage and enterprise which their acts reveal, but wo deplore on the highest grounds—humanitarian, Imperial, and national—tint revenue which they need for their internal development and men who might be far moro profitably employed ashore, should bo thus diverted. The shackling of these young peoples with their urgent problems still unsolved, in tho bonds of the naval rivalry under which the Liberal Party in the United Kingdom groans so audibly, is one of the most regrettable incidents in the story of the Empire .since it first awoke to the consciousness of itself."

The "Pall Mall" views' Mr Massoy's naval statement with mixed feelings. "In the first place, we are full of the warmest admiration for the gallant and patriotic people of the Dominion, ready ns ever to bear their share, and more than- their share, of the burden of Empire. But the reflection that New Zealand's . change of course is at bottom due to tho feeling that the Home Government has played her fnlse in the use it has determined to make of her battle-cruiser, is one which cannot but bo wounding to British pride We believe with Mr Massey that only by securing thjit eupremacy can tho comrunications of the Empire bo made safe and tho Dominions be enabled to attain the destiny which they have marked out for themselves as free white nations under the British Crown."

The "Morning Post" says to the Dominion has been a staunch and loyal supporter of the Admiralty. She refused to follow Australia in keeping a navy of her own. For this New Zealand has been much, praised, and Australia a good deal abused. New Zealand temporarily consented to this rearrangement, which not only wounded her pride, bnt left her alarmed as to the defence of her home waters and her trade interesta. Sir Massey, who succeeded. Sir Joseph Ward, has now thrown the traditional loyal New Zealand policy' overboard, and has decided that New Zealand should have a navy of her own. Thus New Zealand launches herself upon the blue waters of the Pacific like a true chip of the old Mock, and makes a beginning— smnll, it may be. but none the less hopeful, on the road to sea power. Only those who are without imarrinntions. and know nothing of the possibilities of AuP*"ralia sr.d New Zealand, will smile "at Mr Massey's grardiloquence. The Commonwealth and th° T)ominion have great resources, magnificent seaports

and "fobttsfe population. ' They are right-to be confident in the future, aud they are also .right to make a start now. and got things put in hand. It will help to teach them the realities of life, and will go far to give them strength and self-relianco. In the end it will add : more to .our Imperial strength than* anything which . could be hoped for from the cash-subsidy policy."