NEW ZEALAND AND THE NAVY.

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

NEW ZEALAND AND THE NAVY.

THE POLICY STATEMENT. PRESS REVIEWSSUGGESTED RAPPROCHEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA. By Tolcjraph—Press Aseoelailon—Copyright syclnoy, October .31. Tho "Daily Telegraph" says:—"Tho naval defence policy propounded by tho Now Zealand Government has a suggestion of tentativeness. A question that suggests itself is whether New Zealand can hope to maintain, a separate navy of its own. instead of cooperating with Australia. The maintenance of two distinct fleets would involve unnecessary expense and effort, and it is doubtful whether New Zealand would find itself any better ablo in the calculable future to act alone than now. Besides,- the countries would be close together as well as under oiio flag: New Zealand, in fact, is vory much nearer to Eastern Australia than Westralia is. Regarding control, New Zealand opinion differs from that which officially prevailed hero when tho Australian policy was formulated, and it differs very commendably in its marked preference to one of Imperial control. But Australia is not irrevocably pledged in that respect, and if a. mutual arrangement were possible otherwise no doubt it could be brought about, and the two countries combine in tho matter of Pacific defence.

A STIMULUS TO THE NATION. "Times"—Sydnoy "Sun" Special Cables. London, October 29, "The Times," in its .leading article, welcomes tho New Zealand Navy as stimulating, and adds:—"HeT people will give of their own brain and sinew in maintaining intact tho supremacy of tho Empire on tho seas."

VOICE IN IMPERIAL AFFAIRB. HIGH COMMISSIONER INTERVIEWED. London, October 20. The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, in an interview, said that. New Zealand's naval policy would have the effect of impressing the Imperial authorities with the necess'ty for meeting tho widely felt'wishes of Britons overseas for a more effective voice :n Imperial affairs. Representation on the Defence Committee was not tho final solution, but would bo an important step forward. ' . On moro than on© occasion, Baia J\lr v MacKcnzie, tlio Oversea HighCoinmissioners' 1 failed to obtain admission to tho Strangers' Gallery in. tho House of Commons during important debates. He argued' that the overseas official representatives should at least have as good a position in tho Houso as the foreign ambassadors.