NAVAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 4

NAVAL DEFENCE.

Recent events point to the prospect of a clearer and more definite understanding being arrived at on the subject of the Dominion's future policy in the matter of naval defence. In Australia, BrigadierGeneral Gordon (Chief of the Commonwealth' General Staff), has had a conference with Major-General Godley (Commandant of the New Zealand Forces) regarding plans, presumably tentative, for mutual support in time of war, while in Auok-: land* tiba Peiuis Mumsieu (tie Hon,.

W. P. Massey) has indicated that the question or naval defence will shortly be considered in all its bearings. The racial, Imperial, and geographical relationship between Australia and New Zealand is so intimate that discussion of tho question of co-operation in a common emergency such as war, cannot bo deferred indefinitely, although its postponement until now has been inevitable, owing to the transitory condition of the defence organisations of both Dominions. The basis of any plans of mutual assistance between Australia and New Zealand clearly involves an important amendment of our own policy in regard to payment of tile naval subsidy. According to a statement by the Commonwealth Defence Minister (the Hon. G. F. Pearce), the conference between the two military ofiicors was the result of certain informal correspondence that had passed between tho Premiers of tho respective Dominions, and, we presumo, was merely a conversational exchange of viowa. Tho accepted function of tho Kitchener armies of Australia and New Zealand iB that their ;organisation is for home defence, and it is not likely, nor do wo believe it to bo contemplated, that any change of policy will affect the Territorial forces in either country or extend tho sphere of their operations beyond their own shores. Our military organisation is based upon the theory that if our powers of resistance arc made strong enough, and definite enough, to repel anything short of an organised invasion on an extensive scale, a hostile nation would find it inexpedient t& weaken its main fleet by detaching a squadron of sufficient strength to attempt anything more than a raiding attack. The trend of recent events, however, goes to show that something more ; tangible ■ than theory is required as a premium to cover the risk of an attack j)y a powerful enemy, and it is here that the naval problem comes into the question. Among thinking men there is a growing cbnviction that the basis of our contribution to the Imperial Navy should be something different in form, from tho annual subsidy at present paid, and on this point we may expect an important announcement by our own Dofence Minister when he returns from London. Some clearer and more definite pronouncement on the subject of our relations with the Imperial Government in regard to naval and military affairs than we have been accustomed to, is due to the country. The people of New Zealand are chiefly concerned with the desire to do what is best for the Empire generally in the matter of naval defence, knowing that the interests of the Dominion are wrapped Up in- those of the Motherland. But it has not been made clear in recent times whether the best service we can render is by way of payment of an annual' subsidy towards thfe cost of the Imperial Ijavy or whether it would be of more value to assist in the ; local navy movement inaugurated by Australia. Our belief is, and has been for some'years, that the time has arrived when, if a proper understanding of. our naval obligations is to be brought Home to the people of New Zealand, something more than a comparatively small naval contribution to a navy 16,000 miles,away is required. Ther.a, are two sides to this question of Imperial ,and naval defence: the naval side which has to deal with the handling and ' disposition of the naval forces to' the best _ strategical advantage; and the political side which concerns itself with public sentiment and national policy. We, in New Zealand, cannot pretend at' present to offer any: opinion on the nkval side, but it is time our public men gave more earnest thought to the responsibilities o*f this country in the'matter of assisting to maintain, for the Empire that dominance as a'sea Power which alone can adequately ensure the safety and solidarity of its scattered Dominions.