POLICING THE PACIFIC.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1665, 4 February 1913, Page 10

POLICING THE PACIFIC.

DUTY OF THE DOMINIONS.

Speaking in Sydney recently with regard to the' Australian naval dci'ence. Senator Pearco.(Minister for Defence).said that he regarded tho policing of tho Paciiio as a highly important question. "The point ;is matte/' ho kid,, "that you, may not.conoentrate in tho North Sea. ' Supposing the; British Government had sufficient ships and men to police tho North Sen, and .to protect British - interests in'.'; every, other tea, would ; it- then concentrate., all its ships,in-'-tho North-■ Sea'P It is an obvious fact .v'tliftt': diro brought nboijt by (he competition of European nations, has' caused the concentration of. Britfeh warships in the North Sea, and their withdrawal from the other oceans of the world. It is not a question of choice .at nil. 'Does anybody dispute: the fact that at. present the British fleet: in the North Sea is able to cope with any fleet that can bo brought against it? The British Government says it can, and itshould know; it ha? the responsibility for the statement. If ■ that is tho case, then, obviously, our duty as Dominions, is to: provide assistance in those oceans where, tho British power has either been weakened by. withdrawal or is absent altogether. ',',,.; -. ..-

Asked whether, Mr. Allen, the Minister for Defence, in New Zealand, -had outlined the proposed naval policy' of the Dominion prior to his departure' for England, Senator Pe'arco replied :—"Wo had a meeting of the Council oniDefence when Mr. Allen was nossirig'through Melbourne, at which Mr.-;. Fisher,' tho Prime Minister, was present, ns well ■a.*':representatives of the, naval board, the- Inspector-General of the' forces, and' m.vsolf. Wo had a very complete- discussion of the'whole of the l questions at issiio.'