The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1913. THE DOMINIONS & THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1839, 27 August 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1913. THE DOMINIONS & THE NAVY.

The naval policy of the British Empire is the subject of keen controversy in England just now, and the Morning Post does not stand alone when it declares that Britain's sea defences are in a chaotic condition. The reference of this London journal to local navies is of particular interest to the people of New Zealand, for it touches on the very vital question which confronts the Dominion at the present moment. The Post states that the local navy iclea is possibly unsound from a strategic standpoint, but on the other hand the "pride of possession" affords an incentive which a contribution to a central'.fund does not; and, it adds, "perhaps it- will be well to reconcile ourselves to the idea of an Empire based, not on centralisation, but on alliance for defence." That, indeed, is the real problem ahead of the Empire—whether the Mother Country and the Dominions are to co-operate as an Imperial/Federation. or as a Britannic Alliance. The former implies the creation of some form of centralised government, the latter the friendly co-operation of free self-governing nations fo'o defence and other purposes.of mutual benefit. . The solution of this problem has a direct connection with the various schemes for the maintenance and control of the Navy. This phase of the question is referred to in a cablegram published in another column, in which lvin. Schreiner, ex-Premier of South Africa, is reported to have stated that the creation of separate navies by Canada and Australia does not indicate a desire to divide in Imperial matters. That is quite true, and it is just as well to emphasise it; but it is also essential that these local navies should be constructed and trained on similar lines so as to fit them for combined action in time of need, and that they should pass automatically under central control as soon as any emergency arises. In the course of the article to which we have already referred, the Mornin// Post expresses the opinion that the plan of 1909 is worthy .of reconsideration and readoption. It

may be remembered that in tho year 1909 Sir Edward Grey made the rather startling announcement that the Navy would have practically to be rebuiit, and a Subsidiary Conference was held in London to consider the position. The principle of centralised control—except, of course, in case of emergency —was rejected bv Australia and Canada in favour of a system of "fleet units," which might be created by the Dominions and controlled locally until circumstances arose necessitating _ their transference to the senior Admiralty. It was also agreed that the vessels and armaments were to be of a uniform character in all the fleets; that uniform tactics were to be adopted; and that provision should be made for interchange of personnel. , It is on this understanding that the naval policy of the Australian Commonwealth has been based. Owing to the peculiar nature of the political dividing lines in Canada, in addition to tho complications arising_ out of the change of Government which took place a year or two ago, th 6 naval policy of that Dominion has not yet been finally settled. Public opinion seems to be hesitating between the system of contributions and a local navy, and the present constitutional deadlock is blocking the way to a definite decision.

New Zealand has also arrived at a parting of the ways as regards the problem of naval defencc, and the official announcement of the full policy of the Government is being awaited with the keenest interest. The Minister for Defence • (Mn. Allen) discussed the question with the Imperial authorities during his recent visit to England, but as a number of points are still being dealt with by correspondence the Minister apparently is not yet in a position to make a detailed statement of the Government's intentions. Commenting on the present situation, Mr. Allen remarked yesterday that tho 1909 policy has broken down. New Zealand's battleship, which was to have formed part of the China unit, is now, at the request of the Mother Country, to remain in' British waters. "This is the position today," said Mr. Allen. "What the position will be in a few weeks' time I can't tell you." This. hand-to-mouth policy of the Imperial Government is being very severely criticised, and the feeling that flie Do : minion battleships, which were intended to supplement the British naval programme, arc really being used to relieve the Home, authorities of part of their responsibilities has caused much uneasiness. These and other considerations which we have at different times discusscd supply some of the reasons why local navy schemes are growing in public favour both in ,Britain and the Dominions, and judging by the hints which have fallen from Mr. Allen at various times the New Zealand Government will probably adopt this policy of naval defence in some form or other. Me. Allen stated yesterday that the only feasible thing is some system of close co-operation which would mean for Imperial purposes Imperial control. This implies_ that steps are to be taken for creating a New Zealand navy with local control for local purposes, but to be at the disposal of the Imperial authorities in case of emergency of any kind. In such a matter as this it is the first step that counts; for that step, however' modest it may be, will eet the direction of future development. Whatever we do will have to be done in such a way as to fit in smoothly and automatically with the naval policy of tho Empire as a whole. Effort would no doubt bo made to co-operate as far as possible with the Australian and Imperial fleets as regards the training and interchange of officers; the standardisation of ships, ammunition, and guns; uniform strategy and combined manoeuvres; and, above all, complete central control the moment an emergency arises. The main idea should be to devise a workable scheme in accordance with our resources, but capable of consistent growth and development, which will combine the manifest advantages of local interest and ."pride of possession" with that efficiency and readiness for attack and defence which can only be brought to anything like perfection under the control of a central authority,