A UNITED EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2165, 2 June 1914, Page 6

A UNITED EMPIRE

i MR. A. M. MYERS, -M:P, AKD THE, I LOCAL NAVY, I CBy Teiesrra.ph.-J'riMe Association.* I Auckland, June 1. I Anions the passeuge-rs who arrived by the Niagara was Sir, A M. Myers, M.P., who has been on. a visit te Eii.gland. hi an interview Mr. Myers said tbe Empire Varfemeuiary Association did everythiiia possible to make his visit a pleasant and iii-terestiiig one, Turning te_ the question «f defence, Mr, Myers Kaid that this important question had nevet, and be hoped would not-, hetreated as a party question. There- i fore ho had spoken his own convictions ■ with every freedom, as sound defence and national security should bo tjio first-' plank in every political creed. His s-iews were that, having regard to the present, situation, that is to say. ilie unex]ie,".tcd developments in the North. Sea and Buropean waters, ba-ving presumably infiucneed tlw Admiralty 'to deviate frons the origiiial ;te.rms- agreed u-iion at the 1900 conference", there was every justification for rceonsideratiop of our whole pftsit.ion as an outpost of the Empire in the Pacific Ocean, vfhicli, in future, was likely to bo tlw main theatre e.f international rivnlry. The time had arrived for New Zealand te prepare (cora-m-on-;i:iig-obviously in a small way) for such a eijiit-iiisr-sncy, birilttiin; «p of ■ narfes for the Dominions, prepcrly manBed, trained, and organised "in proportion te <rar population and wealth, lio ventured te ai-sert, would ass-isin'cre-ating a naval and national spir-if,, and' of its defensive value cive tlio ideal -of a united Envpire fresh'im* peius.