"THREE KEELS TO ONE."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1232, 14 September 1911, Page 4

"THREE KEELS TO ONE."

FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE. Tho sacrifice some years ago of tho much vaunted two-power standard basis for tho first line of the British Imperial defences was referred to at tho Navy League Conference yesterday by Mr. W. J, jiapier, of Auckland, who moved:— "That, in the opinion of this conforenco, tho maintenance of tho integrity of the Empire and the adequate protection of its commerce require the immediate recognition by the Imperial Government of tho principle of laying down two keels for ono in relation to. the German Navy." Tho motion was seconded by Mr. R. DiUToch (Wellington), but did not meet with general support. Mr. Ja-s. Allen thought that tho.conference would be well advised to leavo tho settlement of this question to tho Mother Country. Tho two keels to one policy was an accepted "article of policy by both political parties in England, eo far as British predominance in the North Sea was concerned. But it was tho opinion of thoughtful men, an opinion which ho shared, and which was being accepted by an increasing majority of people, that two keels to ono would not do for the defenco of tho Empire. The Admiralty had arrived at the conclusion, and this conclusion, he believed, was endorsed by the Admiralty, that the strategical situation of tho Empire, having regard to the developments of the great Eastern nations, and the changed conditions in tho Pacific, demanded the creation of an Eastern fleet of Empire, He referred Mr. Napier to a recent article on' tho subject of Asiatic immigration, by the editor of the Sydney "Bulletin." In that article it was pointed out that tho advocacy of a white Australia involved certain consequences and certain inevitable ;rosponsibilitik>s. To close the door to tho Japancso immigrant was in effect to administer a slap in the face to ft powerful nation which was at nrcwnt attached to the Mother Country by a friendly alliance. In tho opinion of the "Bulletin" writer—tho speaker did not ngree with him—the perpetuation of the white Australia policy implied, ultimately, cutting tho painter, if the Mother Country did not endorso that policy. He (Mr. Allen) declared that such a contingency as a hostilo alliance between Jnpan and Germany should bo regarded as a factor in tho future n:>val situation in the Pacific, a situation which could not possibly be faced on the basis of two keels to one. Tho principle of strategy involved in tho event of such a combination was to prevent the junction of forces. Hence tho uecossity for tho Eastern fleet. Tho nucleus of that Ileet was set down at three armoured crnipers, nine cruisers of the Bristol class, 18, destroyers of tho same class, and nine submarines of tho C clnss. Australia was to provide a third of this fleet. As for the suggestion that these Dominions would have to bo defended in the North Sea, he thanked goodness that they had done with all that nonsense. The Rev. E. Eliot Chambers supported the remarks of the previous speaker, and urged the withdrawal of tiro motion. It was ultimately decided, however, to amend the proposition as follows:— "That this .conferenco cordially endorses tho principle of the parent leaguo of at least tiro keels to ono in relation to the next strongest naval power, and would express its hearty approval of tho gradual building up of an Eastern fleet of the Empire." This was adopted.