NAVAL POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1894, 31 October 1913, Page 4

NAVAL POLICY.

A MODEST BEGINNING. ESSENTIAL IDEA EMBODIED. MR. A. S. MALCOLM'S VIEWS. / While there are perhaps some aspects of the naval proposals which will produce full discussion in tho House of Representatives with expressions of disagreement with the plan proposed, thero is a very strong body of opinion in tho House which heartily approves of and supports tho policy outlined. One of those most keenly interested m the statement mado by the Prime Minister is Mr, A, S. Malcolm (Clutlia), whei has devoted a great deal of timo to trio study of Empire questions and occupies the position of secretary for tho New Zealand branch of the Empire i. arliaiimntary Union. When interviewed on tho subject, Mr. Malcolm said ho was very pleased with the statement as ho considered it a very busi-noss-liko and moderate one. Ho was satisfied that t-lic proposals for the training of our own seamen would bo of the greatest advantage to Now Zealand and the Empire, 'I. a . m .delighted," be continued, that tlio idea of iorming a local unit has not been lost sight of. It is true that the proposal is a most modest ono, but it- embodies tho essential idea. Tho statement makes it quite evident that agreements entered into with the Im- £- enal „ Government- on tlio basis of a Now Zealand contribution in money are so much waste paper, as tho absolute control of the ships constructed leads the Imperial Government very .naturally to consider its own needs only. In this country, while we recognise those needs must bo met, wo also recognise tlio necessity of a policy that shall bo national from the Now Zealand' point of view. To build one qjuiser of the Bristol typo may seom a beginning not worth making, but tho sanio argument would provent all beginnings being made. "Do you regard it as certain that a Bristol cruiser will be built by the Dominion?" inquired the interviewer., "Its construction, of course," replied. Mr. Malcolm, "will be contingent oil the British Government finding it impossible to place oiio or tnoro vessels of tho Bristol typo in New Zealand, and on the linos of their refusal to do that at present this may almost bo taken fls a definite commitment that Now Zealand will be asked by the Government to build a cruiser next year. I quite agree that- tho placing of tho Pyramus and PsycliG in New Zealand waters can only be regarded as an act of courtesy which is of no practical advantago to New Zealand. The delay in a' settlement between the British and New Zealand Governments is duo, I judge, to the fact that the New Zealand Government has been (strongly pressing the Imperial Government to carry out the IPO9 agreement. The Admiralty at first would not care definitely to decline to do so, but it was eventually compelled to give a straight-out refusal when the Now Zealand Government continued to urge the completion of the policy. That definite refusal lias apparently been made only this month, and it was only then that the. New Zealand Government could seo where it stood. "One .significant omission in tho statement," said Mr. Malcolm, "is the absence of any reference to an under- . steading with Australia-. As there-'caiv-W' but- ' little doubt that New Zealand" would be reluctant- to be committed to Australia, this is perhaps wise. It .is pleasing to noto that tlio statement does not propose to increase tho expenditure by more than £50,000 per year, and that that expenditure will not commence till 1915 or later, but- the certainty of its increase necessitates very careful consideration of tho whole matter. I doubt if this country can burn the military candle at both ends—that is to sav, whether we can go in for a largo military as well as a large naval expenditure. Personally I tliii.lt we ivonld do well to make our naval .position our first caro and economise on military expenditure. My own proposal towards that end may be a startling one, but it is this: Instead of importing highlv-paid officers, we should import from Britain the best sergeant-major that can ho got. Our force is never likely to make war on a large scale, and apart fMm tho strategic cmestion, I think that probably sergeant-majors would be more useful to us than commissioned officers. I would bo sorry to seo our military expenditure increased by one penny, and certainly think it would be bettor to develop the naval policy, of which a foundation has now been laid."