Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, 10th, AUGUST 1920 A NAVAL POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, 10th, AUGUST 1920 A NAVAL POLICY.

The question of a purely local njxvy is hardly likely to be considered seriously in this country after the experience o/ war time. The needs of the Empire demand unity of control* and that should be in the hands of the Admiralty, the authority of exports most capable of controlling the interests of Great.Brir tain and, hor overseas Dominions m every quarter of the globe. The contribution New Zealand has paid hitherto for naval defence was in the nature of an insurance fund, and looking to the receivd ftf the great war, we certainly obtained a remarkable measure of security from the overshowing influence of the British Navy. Australia had her “local” navy but the experence of the war showed it was more expedient for the defence of -Australia that the “local” navy should spend n\c# of its time in the northern hemisphere, several week’s steam from its home ports.ensure u sound naval defence for the Empire then must he of necessity, a uniform system of control, The great war has altered the 'balance of rmval .power so completely, that in the next possible emergency of ajyar, the central danger .point ; is considered to be more likely in the -Pacific than in the Atlantic. The rivalries of J,apu,p and America seem to suggest this, while there is also the open boast of the Americans that their Navy must be the greatest on the seas. This is a rather open challenge to Britain, which is dependent for the defence of her Empire on her sea strength, as also for her trade routes and food supplies. America has not the pressing domestic needs that Britain has for a grpat navy, except it bo for the lust of -greater ppw.er, which America desires because of her vast -wealth which she feels might "buy” her anythng. In the overshadowing rivalry for mistress of the softs, Britain cannot remain indifferent to the world situation, and here in New Zealand, an outpost of Empire, and dependent for our national existence on the strength of the British Navy, the country must do its. full share to help maintain that naval force as adequately and as efficiently as possible. Such being the case, the recent reference to naval matters in the House is of special interest. A large cruiser is coming to New Zealand, the gift of the Motherland. Cheap as a gift, she will be costly to maintain. That, however, does not suggest a reason for declining the gift, or not utilising it to the fullest extent. We must still continue to pay for our defence, and after the experience of the great war we must be prepared to pay a. higher rate for national security. In the past -we paid a ridiculously low premium, and we got overflowing value. If the cost rises now 'there is not much ground for complaint.. Our island situation should make us more of a naval than a .military station. In the war, when put to -it, our young MCjn distinguished them selves as .soldiers. The small per centnge of New Zealanders .who found their way into the Navy, distinguished themselves no less remarkably. It would appear we have the talent available -to develope into useful sailors. Now Zealand is about to ba-ve a very distinguished naval Governor-General, whose advent ooincident with the battle cruiser, should give naval inefinationa a special

impetus. The Dominion thus, will have special facilities for equipping itself in naval defence, as matters now loom on tiio international horizons it will be a wiso precaution to tako something in timely advance in case another serious war overtakes the world.