NEW ZEALAND AND NAVAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 634, 11 October 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND AND NAVAL DEFENCE.

Sir Joseph Ward shows a tendency to change his ground in connection with some of his ideas on naval defence. Wo directed his attention a few days ago to the fact that the people of New Zealand under his proposals .were , contributing very much less por head on a population basis than the pcoplo of Britain. Our reason for doing this was his repeated references to, the Dominion's desire to now bear her,full share of the burden of naval defence; these references being made in faco of the fact that his proposals did not involve anything of tho kind. 'We urged that in the circum-stances-Sm Joseph should express himself a little more moderately as to what this country, was doing. We are pleased to note that at the banquet at which he was entertained by his frionds'on Saturday eveninig he.admitted in this respect at least tho truth of our contentions. Ho said:.. .'..'...... .. ..: • ' ■.•.' ■.- . .-, "If the. annual subsidy were added to the interest and sinkins fund ■ in connection with the gift Dreadnought it would Bβ found that' the total was far below what New Zealand wns entitled to contribute on' the. basis .of population for the defenco of their hearths and homes." . ' '".■.., ' -■ , ■•■ .-..- 'This opinion, however, reads rather curiously in conjunction with his remark immediately preceding it:. "As a co-partner New Zealand was now going to do her duty in the matter of defence." Appar: ently it ;is.our "duty" to contribute so much porhead less than is contributed by tho people of Britain. While wo admit that thero. is-rooni for argument' as to what our "duty" in tho matter actually is, wo must express our regret that the I- Prime Minister should •'have thought it nocessary to bolster up his case in opposition to the local navy idea 1 by introducing the '•; question of local, jcalqtisies. Surely a contention of this kind is too trivial and potty to be worthy of consideration. , Wo arc; growing more convinced, every day that there is something radically , wrong about the Prime Minister's naval, proposals. On the surface ! they' appear inadequate, .especially as being , lacking in any idea of a naval -policy for. the future. But the manner in which'he persists in referring to tho naval units : of Canada and Australia must ore now have aroused doubts; as to whether there may not be something ■ inore '. behind it "all. Why should ho: so persistently speak of these units, which, have the supnort' of export opinion,, as.■being something entirely apart . from . . the' •. Imperial Navy! Why - should ■he keep : dof ending his own ; course of action by proclaiming, that it , "is . bettor' to'-add to the strength of tho British Navy than to build a local, fleet," when he must know that each of tho. local navies \yill form pa,rt of the British Fleet in time of wari and consequently add to-.ite - strength i And why, should: he defend .his' action by such comparatively iriflihg considerations as tho imaginary: difficulty of deciding which part. of. New Zealand should bo .the.headquarters; of the fleet?. Eeally we aro puzzled to.understand the attitudeof Sir Joseph Ward. The matter is a grfat national one, and one in v .which' opinions; to 'carry any weight.'i.should bq backed by:; facts '■■'■ and ~ sound .So 'far , 'there has. been' .a, great deal of , assertion • and - very , Tew .. facts. (Wo .trust. >th'at.':':wKen ; .' sth'e*!'" matter comos before Parliament for; discussion Sir Joseph Ward will explain .why New Zealanders should be. able; to •'.' spealc with pride of their\achi6yerDCh.ts;in the , matter of naval defence whilo'coritent to pay less per .head than is paid by their fellowcouritrymen over' the was ;■ and, why 'ho is content with ■a . proposal ■ which, -apart from tho presentation -of'.'-one- :warsliip, loaves New. Zealand exactly, whore it'was twelve months ago^.and.quite unprovided for in the matter of a-policy for.tho. future. AVo'havd.no doiibt that there are many others'who,'like ourselves, would bo pleascd'to.think,that all that is ;rc ; quired is;.'the. Bimple' ; ; plan.; which.-'the. Priiie MiHisTER rjronoses—that .we havo nothing more to do than- to provide'each year a" sum of .money/'less _than. is duo from u& on a population basis, and leave the Mother Country to do the rest. It certainly .is' much' simpler': and 'easier ' than taking our share of the;worries and responsibilities of. manning ships arid fighting them if occasion ' requires is it a course to bo proud, of; is it,orio calculated" , to develop a high --. national spirit—a naval spirit such as one would hope" and expect to seo : grow up in this, sea-girt ]■: Dominion \~ Sir Joseph Ward, we trust, : will, answer these questions'when ho seta about his. task of endeavour ing to convince tho "country, that his naval proposals arc :iri the' best interests, not merely of tho present, but of tho future of New Zealand and-the. Empire. ; ; .\ . \ ..