The Dominion. THURSDAY, MARCH 19. 1914. THE DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2011, 19 March 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, MARCH 19. 1914. THE DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

The remarks made in the House of Commons by the First Lord of the Admiralty {tin. WitfStox Churchill) regarding the naval policies of Australia and New Zealand should put to silence those critics who have been endeavouring to create the impression that there, has been some friction between the Admiralty and 'the New Zealand Government regarding the aew departure which was approved and authorised by our Parliament during its list session. A cablegram which- we publish in another column shows ' that Mit. Chmchill has made it ijuite cleat that the British authorities are in full sympathy with what is being done by Australia and this Dominion, as regards naval defence. He states that the Admiralty has cooperated loyally in regard' to the development of the Australian fleet, and goes on to say that the Dominions Vill be afforded the opportunity for that individual local develop-ment-wiieh is necessary to maintain a kooil naval interest and procure the- sacrifices which are necessary for the development of their naval power. This entirely bears out the statement made by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Alien) rcqontly, in reply to a refflark by the London ■£ fines, ivhjeh implied that-there was a difference of opinion between the New _ Zealand Government and the Admiralty regarding the change in our , policy in reference ta the Navy. Mr, Allen emphatically denied that there was any disagreement, and declared that'perfect hnrmpny existed The Admiralty, he said, had assisted ' Aew Zealand in every possible Way. ] Ma. C'HURCHitL takes precise)? the •same vkw that we haw placed before: our readers front time to time regard' ing.the desirability of cultivating that feeling of direct responsibility in the matter of oaval defence, .whioii can never be created by a mere money contribution to the Imperial ■Goveriiraeii{._ A proper sense of national duty in this, nratter depends largely upon pride of possession and theopening up of a carder in the &«y fof tno sons of otir own people. The enthusiasm with which tfio Australian fleet is received, whenever it visits one of the Cotomonft-eaith' ports .is A striking illustration of the growth of naval sentiment, which is ;■ naturally promoted by the' intrsduetioft of the personal equation, British warships are always welcome visitors to any part of the Empire: but that.'"local development" ref-er- . reel to by Mr, GmimmiL-ibo knowiedee that tjic ships are their own and that they are manned by AnsI traban lads-lias added depth and . intensity to the pricfc, of the people . of the Commonwealth ia the Eoyal Australian Navy. This is the practical and fruitful kia& <jf intef- ; est which, in the opinion of Me C-HUftCHia, is fostered by tlm new ■conditions under which Australia nncj New Zealand are flow beai'inj? their share, of the Umpire's naval tardeij. When the responsibility j s thus thought right hame to "the people, they can be relied iipos to make willingly, aa<l cheerfully 'the sacrifices neeessnry for tins mainfinance 01 the Empire's sea power. ■■ Of all the great policy questions debated in the House of Commons none is of greater or more immediate concern to the Overseas Dominions than that- wirie'h relates to. the state of the Jfavy, The efficiency o f 'the fleet, ss of vital importance to the whole Umpire, ant! every British ■(Mitimunky has therefore ken eagerly waiting to know what effect the UttJe Navy agitation would have or Hie policy of the Imperial Government. Mr. Chueohiu, ha-s had' a difficult task, and ho has come through the ordeal as iveJl as could be expected-, considering the- adverse, circumstances with which he has had to contend. One of the most scrkrns defects in the stafoment which he made in. the Mouse of Cotntiiofls on I'riday last Was % absenee of any proposal for making good the dehcwßoy cautsed by the abseiiee of this thi-ce ships premised by Canada. Mn. 1/HUP.CHiLi- now s-tfltes that the Govermaent intends to da sofflethinp to fill this gap by'hastening the construction of two- of the vessels providfid for in the 1914 progrstmraa. This will him n bmi'ring oh the defence, of British interests in the raesfit. Jin. Chukcbii,!, further asserts that the Japanese Alliance secnnis the safety of Australia and New Zealand, tliis is satisfactory as far.as. it goes, but it cannot be accepted as a perflianenft arnngc* nront, tor the Japanese Alliance may not cvutuvn for ever, and the Empire ought to be in a position to rely upon its own stomal) ■ should tb aetossity arise. Every advantage, should be taken of .the Alliance in order tobuild up en ackqiiate Pacific fleet in.these days of peace- and security, so that we may be ready if ever tho time should cdhjo when, as ■Mb, Massey remarked in his speo-eh at Ni?Json, the Pacific countrie-i «b.ould have to fleiit for their exist' ence. Unless we nnho a commeneemeivt iiow We shall tiot he prepaid For such a trial of strength. It i<s much to be regretted that some people should endeavour to make a party matter of this great problem of naval defence: but after Mr. Chukcmilt.'s unmistakable confirmation of Mil. Ames's positive, assurance that the-Jfow Zealand Government and the Admiralty are in agreement and working together in harmony an the lines laid down last session, there remains no shadow of excuse for the repetition of tlw miscliwvous suggestion of friction which has. now been finally and completely exploded.