DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2147, 13 May 1914, Page 6

DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC

i; Mn. Arthuii Mvbiis, the niomber » for Auckland East, has made an - interesting statement on the question of. naval defence in an interview at summary of which will no found in our cable columns. Mn. MvEHS has always taken'a- broad line when dealing with defence, and has resolutely declined to treat'mat■tcrs relating /heretu from tlie point j of view of party politics. As Minia- . tL-r oi Defence lie worked hard to 1 make our military training scheme I as successful as possible, raid lie has 1 consistently, supported the naval 1 policy of the. Reform Government. ( Tlie tone of his remarks at Vancou- ! ver shows that he has not changed - his mind. He lays special stress on . the need for effective steps being • taken 'to place the defence of the i Pacine on a more satisfactory foot- ! ing. Like the Prime Ministers of > New Zealand and Australia, he de- ■ dines to be content with an arrange- . ment- which would make the safety, i of British interests in this part of , the world dependent upon tho allii ailce with Japan, and he regards thi , creation of the-nucleus of a navy as , a step iii the right .direction. The ■ present -state of affairs as regards , British sea power in the Pacific, can r only be regarded as a temporary . makeshift, and there is urgent need t for a definite understanding between /the Mother Country and Canada, . Australia, and New Zealand.- Tho . problem must be dealt with as <1- ; matter of Imperial policy, and each i of the overseas Dominions concerned '<. ■ must shoulder its share of the rc-i I spnnsibiliiy. They must, of course, s act in concert so that whatever is done may eventually be connected ! up and become nart of a general , scheme. It is satisfactory to know 1 that the relations between Britain • and Japan are at present so friendly i, that the two nations are able to coi operate for their mutual defence; ; but it. is impossible to shut our eyes ■ to the fact that changes arc'apt" to . take place in international rc-lation- : ships, and that the' Anglo-Japanese ; Alliance may come to an end. That . is a possibility which must he taken . into consideration, and, as -Mr. 1 Myers states, it is unpleasant to , think that New Zealand's existence depends on a. friendly treaty with . Japan. It is tlie manifest duty of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. , to make tho most of the opportunity provided hv the present time <-jf rseacc to build up their means of de- : fence- so as to be ready for the day , of-trial whenever it may come. The naval policies of Australia and KW Zealand are steps In that direction, ■ and the Empire is now waiting for Canada to make up its rairicl as to : the.form of its contiibtitwn to Im-■ ncrial naval defence. Ip. this mat- i ter party eonsideratirfns should hare- j no place, and Mr. Ma'tirs has set a rood examiile by treating all quostions relating to defence from the national point of view.