The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MARCH 24th, 1924. NAVAL DEFENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MARCH 24th, 1924. NAVAL DEFENCE.

'Uie indecision .regarding Singapore means that the wliole question of naval defence must be raised, However much the present attitude of the British (ioven i nie 111 may satisfy some sections of opinion, tlio.se most directly affected by tins Singapore issue are sure to be heard long and loud in protest, and in demands for some measure of security covering the future. New Zealand is primarily interested in the Singapore nas© as part and parcel of the Pacific defence scheme. AVliat happened during tile great war by the range of raiders has left the subject of naval defence very much perturbed in these quarters. An enemy raider is capable of doing great harm, and involving tile Dominion in millions of direct loss should an enemy prowl the seas to interfere with oversea trading alone. There is the need for the security which would lie afforded by an omnipotent licet- being stationed in the Pacific, not so much to meet a possible enemy in actual warfare, but to prevent that possible enemy taking a war-step against Britain. New Zealand will be involved in any war in which England may become entangled, so that however pacific our own intentions, our fate is governed by happenings in Europe or the East, as the case might be, over which New Zealand could, not be consulted. Our dependence upon Britain for naval defence is complete, and the cost to us is trifling. Here are the figures. At present Great Britain is paying per capita for naval defence 27s od; Australia 9s 3Jd; New Zealand 4s 6d; Canada Is 2d; South Africa lid; Crown Colonies, pil. A study of these figures, mentions the New Zealand “Herald”, should be confined, so far ns this country is concerned, to the share New

Zealand is taking. The mote in a brother’s eye can wait until we see ourselves clearly. As for the Crown Colonies, the scruples of Great Britain against taxation without representation except for local purposes must bo respected. New Zealand has enough to do to put her own house in order. Mao for man, the New Zealand taxpayer pays one panny to the Biitish taxpayer’s sixpence. So great a disparity cannot be justified on the score of the Dominion’s greater poverty. In fact, it would Probably be true to say that to-day New Zealand, man for man, is wealthier than Great Britain. There is not the unemployment in New Zealand, the staple industries are generally prosperous, the immediate outlook is good. If the Dominion does not possess the accumulated wealth of Britain, present economic well-being at loast makes her ns well able as Britain to take her share in naval deleave. It required the experience of the great war to realise the cost of a mighty navy capable of keeping the seas. New Zealand could not contemplate its share of such a cost at this period, but it is imperative to lmve defensive means at hand to at least deter a possible enemy from overt acts. The coining session of Parliament must deal with the matter, and action will require to be cooperative with Australia. 4 lie L'ominion cannot move alone, the cost would be overwhelming, but the desire for self-preservation will prompt some action for the same reason as induced tlie House of Commons the other day to maintain the personnel of its standing Army. It is too Into to endeavour to argue when the enemy is at the gate. There must bo the means to keep him from the gateway, or argument will be futile. For i hat reason New Zealand cannot affoid to ignore naval defence, but must move in the matter reasonably and none the less promptly.