NAVAL POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1614, 4 December 1912, Page 8

NAVAL POLICY.

STATEMENT BY THE HON. E. H. RHODES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, December 3. The Navy League bazaar and display, organised for the' purpose • of securing funds to provide a naval training barge on the Avon was opened this afternoon by the Hon. E. H. .Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral. Mr. Rhodes said lie regretted tho Absence of the Prime Minister. The league in the Old Country had three barges on the Thames. He hoped to place one on the Avon, and then the Ohristchurch branch of tho league and the people of - Canterbury would think that they were really doing something to assist the, Navy. Boys were needed for the mercantile marine and Navy, and. it would be found that there was great spirit among the young boys to go to sea. Tho barge would encourage that spirit. The project also was prtiot that, the Dominion was anxious to do its share in the defence of the Empire. Australia and Canada were taking up the question, and were taking on their own shoulders their 6hare of defence. Up to 1903 New Zealand contributed .£20,000 a year to the cost of naval defence, and in that year the amount was raised to .£40,000, and in 1906 further increased to .£IOO,OOO, while when "the Dreadnought was given the contribution, including interest on the Dreadnought, was ,£250,000. The question of naval dcfence was never made a party question in. Parliament. He could make no announcement as to what the Government's policy would be on the question, which, after all, was dependent on the' policy of the Admiralty, which changed from time to. time. One time he thought the best policy in the Pacific was to contribute to the upkeep. It was impossible to say what would be the decision. The Hon. Jas. Allen was going Home at an opportune time, and he knew the views of the rest of tho Cabinet. A little patience sliould be exercised, and the country would know that policy.