The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1913. NEW ZEALAND'S NAVAL POLICY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1892, 29 October 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1913. NEW ZEALAND'S NAVAL POLICY

The naval policy outlined by the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) in 1 the House of Representatives yester- ( day afternoon may be taken as tho first instalment of a consistent scheme which will be capable of development and expansion from time to time in accordance with the re- . sources of the Dominion and - the needs of the Empire. It lays firm foundations upon which our part of the joint defence of the British Dominions can be gradually built tip, and it proceeds on lines which should fit into the rest of the Imperial Navy system so as to form an organic whole which will be capable of safeguarding the interests of the Empire in all parts of the world, and in any emergency that may arise. The proposals of the Government are not too extravagant or over-ambitious: but they are sufficiently important to constitute a new departure in the naval policy of New Zealand. During recent years the . sense of nationhood has arisen amongst us, and is becoming more pronounced as the years pass by. Though an integral part of the British race and Empire, we arc developing an individuality and character of our own. We are something more than a number of people living in the same country; we are a young nation, and are prepared to accept a nation's responsibilities as well as its privileges; and one of the most important of these responsibilities is to undertake our own defence and to co-operate with the other overseas Dominions and the Motherland for the adequate protection of our common interests on land and sea. Thcso principles and instincts of nationality cannot be satisfied by mere money contributions to some outside 'authority. The time has come for the creation of a more personal and immediate responsibility for the naval defence of the Empire, and New Zealanders are now determined to shoulder a share of the burden. We want to be able to point to something we can call our own>, both in the way of ships and men, and the proposals of the Government represent the first deliberate and systematic attempt to satisfy this natural instinct for possessipn as far as tho Navy is concerned. The record of tho negotiations between the New Zealand Government and tho Imperial authorities show quite clearly that our Government is not responsible for the delay that has taken place in connection with the announcement of its policy; nor is it tho fault of the New Zealand Ministry that the Admiralty cannot sec its way to fully carry out in all details the scheme which was submitted to it. The result is that, for the present, woAiust be content with having stationed in New Zealand waters two light cruisers; instead of two cruisers of the Bristol tvpe. This is certainly disappointing; but when we are told that the Bristol cruisers cannot be supplied "without interfering with the general strategic disposition of naval strength necessary [ in the interests, of the Empire as a whole,'-' we must for th» time being put up with certain modifications of proposals which we may consider reasonable and necessary. The Government, however, intends to take prompt steps to secure a more complete realisation of the ideal it has set up, and if a more satisfactory arrangement is not arrived at before next session "Parliament will ■ be asked to agree to the building in Britain of one fast modem cruiser, probably of the Bristol type, costing ! ~aixmt £4fIQ A QQO„ to bs iiwjii in the ;

event of necessity' requiring it. for the protection of our trade routes." Such a proposal would certainly meet with general approval throughout the Dominion, and in view of the vital importance of safeguarding our oversea trade whatever increase in expenditure may be involved would be overwhelmingly justified from every point of view. The arrangements proposed for tho training of our own men for the Navy arc in some respects of even greater importance than the stationing of cruisers in New Zealand waters. With this object in view the Government proposes to take over H.M.S. Philomel, which is to be used as a sea-going training ship, and judging by the experience of Australia there is not likely to be much difficulty in getting as many recruits.of the best type as may be required. The Prime Minister points out that it will probably in the future be more and more difficult for the Mother Country to supply all needs as regards officers and men. "Consequently it would seem that the greatest service New Zealand can render just at present to Imperial Defence is to commence the training of personnel for the Navy." This is a strong point, for in to its value to tho Empire as a whole the training of our young men cannot fail to create and foster the naval spirit in our midst, and give to the whole community a direct personal interest in the defence of the Empire. The presence of the training ship-and the cruisers in our own ■waters will impress on every one of us more effectively than anything else could, that in view of possible developments in the Pacific and elsewhere both, duty and self-interest demand that wc should take up our fair share of the burden of defence. This is not a- matter for isolated and independent action, but for the deliberate and systematic co-operation of every part of. the Empire, This principle is clearly recognised by the Government in making their new departure in naval policy, for the Prime Minister expressly declares that any ship New Zealand may acquire "shall automatically pass under the direct control of the Admiralty immediately on the outbreak of hostilities, or shall be available for Admiralty purposes on any other occasion when urgently required." Moreover, the training of our men is to be based on the assumption that they arc part and parcel of the Royal Navy, and facilities .to transfer to other parts of the fleet will be provided. Taken as a whole, the Government's scheme is a good beginning and on right lines. When in working order it will strengthen the naval position of Britain in this hemispfiere, and will help forward "the co-operation of tho Imperial authorities with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand." It will also, to quote the words of the Prime Minister, do something to encourage,the aspirations of these young countries as regards consultation in matters of defence, to' create pride of possession, to' maintain the traditions of the past, and to give us in time "the same position in the way of naval supremacy in these seas that is h«ld by our kinsmen on the other side of the world."