ARECKLESS STATEMENT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2328, 9 December 1914, Page 4

ARECKLESS STATEMENT

I REpi BY RON, I M. B. FISHER

PACIFIC NAVAL CONTROL

'In an interview yesterday the Hon. F, M. R, Fislier referred to the statements cabled from the Sydney "Sun's" Melbourne correspondent, blaming New Zealand', for the, escape of the German Pacific squadron. Mr. Fisher said that the statement made, was.as ridioulpus ps it was .inacour'ate. The facts are quite simple and immediately dispel any impression which was sought to be conveyed by the wild and reckless news--who has endeavoured to create some excitement by the pubjicatipn of a'sensational and imaginary statement. The New Zealand Government djdiiol hurry away:the Expedition to Samoa. The Samoan force was sent at a date fixed by the Admiralty, and with a convoy fixed-by the Admiralty. The New Zealand Government at no stage, asked for the assistance of any ship or ships of the Australian Navy. Theiwhqle/nisitter.was. arranged by the Admiralty working in conjunction with Admiral Ratey. '. f l]e necessity for hastening away "the force from New Zealand was duo entirely to the fact that tho Imperial authorities realised that the Samoan wireless station was the key of information which was keeping the German ships forewarned of all that was going on. It became essential, therefore, that in, order to track down the German cruisers, one of. the first things to be done was to cut off their most useful and reliable source of,, information. Samoa was the largest and most powerful station in the Pacific, and to Now Zealand was allotted the task of taking possession of this German territory. The absurdity of the statement made by the'Melbournq correspondent becomes, .plainly evident when one "looks at the fact's: The New. Zealand transports sailed, from New Zealand to Noumea without any convoy from the Australian Squadron at .all. If Admiral Patey had been.in close 'contact with German'ships lie could'. hayci left our transports in : Noumea. withV perfect safety and continued' tracking down the Scharnhorst and Gheisenau.

.In point of fact 'Admiral Patey no doubt recognised the necessity of •seizing that important wireless station ■at Samoa, and he, the naval officer cpm.mahdbg the Pacific, came to Neumoa with the French flagship Montcalm, and .transferred our troops from New Gale-, donia to Samoa. From the date our troops stepped on the transpqrts .hero until they arrived at Samoa they .were entirely under the control of and at-the disposal of the Imperial Govern,'ment and the Imperial authorities, and the statement made that the New land Government interfered with naval operations in the Pacific is absolutely top, ludicrous for words. Let it be quite plain that spfar.as our transports were concerned from tha time they heaved their-anchors in New Zealand waters they wpre absolutely under Imperial con-, ftrol, and the New Zealand Government ihjd' little, pr nQ'Say in the matter. ' :-k!'A.-striking.proof of the garbled ac? count.of -the alleged, newspaper cprres'pqiident,^. addeel the Minister, fjs shown in his own message. He says the New Zealand Government, in an impetuous desire to get its men to Samoa, sent them to sea in care of the Psyche and ,Phi!omel, tien suddenly .recalled the expedition, cabled to the Admjralty, and secured the Australia's assistance, the.,Samoan pallepV .Tha_twq ~.ships_that did gq to sea."'andr Wdre ; ' , :recaiied''were v "' tKe ;: ;twq Auckland'transports, with the main fqroe,' bound fpr Hobart, and they were recalled from their journey;north about from Anckland to join the'other trarisr ports, which were under convoy bf-,'the .Minqtaur.'-and X^ukiV;.. '■■'■' '', > "It ia conuriqn, knowledge to everyone iq- New- Zealand tha,t once our Samoan ;trqpps.'-puVto' sea they never ctme back 'at ■all.'-It' is ! 'e(]ually well known''that they were not joined by the Australia until 'after they arrived at Noumea. The Melbourne newspaper oorresppnd- ■ ent's. story is -a wild fabrication, probably tho psychological moment for political purposes. ■'.:-,

"Tjja only-ptop in regard to convoy taken by the New Zealand Government was. prior to . ;the transports sailing, '■when wo' asked for an the .would be adequate, a'sj-we were naturally anxious that our troops should not be put afloat and he thrown at the mproy of any _ armed merchantman or inferior cruiser that might chance to come their wav. T]]ere is -the whole story in a nutshell, and the, hysterioal imaginings of somo obscnre journalist in Australia disappear'like mists before the wind when the light of truth ;becomes ; visiblp to thci public. 1 '