NAVAL DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2317, 26 November 1914, Page 6

NAVAL DEFENCE

WHAT THE HON. A. ,L. HERDMAN THINKS.

At his meeting last night, the Hon. A. L. Herdman had a word or two to say about naval defence, and came into acute conflict, with-a noisy little band of Bed Feds, included in. his audience. Some people, said the Minister, accused the Government of wishing to create a "tinpot. navy," and others said that so sure as the Massey Government was returned to power there would be a fleet in the.Pacih'c. (Applause.) Would it not havo been better during the last few months if there had been a fleet in the Pacific? (Applauso, and dissent fr °T itM S*4 F e ds -) Mr. Herdmau, said that if it had not been- for the Australian Squadron German guns would have thundered on tho NewZea- ! land coast, llecent events had shown that something bettor was wanted than the Psycho, the Pyramus, the Philomel and the lorch. (Applause.) After cheers and counter-cheers,, Mr Herdman said that the Government was bolder and moro enterprising than its opponents. It was prepared to take tho advice of fho British Government which said that tho Dominions should provide naval flotillas and light cruisers of their own. When he saw an Imperial ship and'a Japanese ship enter Wellington Harbour ho said: There is the policy, of Sir' Joseph Ward. When he heard that the Australian Squadron was convoying troopships • and destroying German wireless stations, and that the Sydney had 'destroyed that seaprowler, tho Bmden, he realised what the Australians were doing. (Cheers and loud applause.) Tho gentlemen at the back of the hall, who were supporters of Sir Joseph Ward, believed in the Psyche and tho Torch. (Denials.) AVliat Mr. Massoy had proposed last .year was that the Dominion should build

A voice: A tinpot navy! Mr. Hordman: —a cruiser, equal , to Llio Sydney, which destroyed the Emdon.

Jfcfsrs. Abraham ami Williams Lid will hold a stock sslo at Levin on I'riday next.