The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, 1924. BRITISH NAVAL POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, 1924. BRITISH NAVAL POLICY.

It is not surprising to learn from the cable news that a big naval programme is cxjwcted from tile new JhitLsh Ooverninent. The Conservatives have believed always in a strong naval programme, as a backing for the maintenance of the foreign policy. The experience of the last score of years justifies that state of mind. The strength of the Navy in the period of the Great

War was more than Britain’s •‘sure shield,” it was the. safeguard of the Allies also. When we recall that it was the British Navy which convoyed the American Army to the European arena we note but one important phase of the important work discharged. The Navy not only saw that the shores of tho United Kingdom were defended, but its service at sea kept the highways open and enabled England fo he succoured with both food and men. The Navy was an indispensible factor in winning the war. Such being the case, it can he well understood that

under sane .and loyal government the ( ahiuel of to-day v. ill not be a party to seeing the Navy neglected. The oversea Dominions are interested in this matter directly, and particularly ibis outpost of New Zealand. Remote as Me are the ocean is our highway for trade to markets and national prosperity. The Dominion must stand for ,i sale Navy, ami in til's connection there Mill lie Mode appieciation of flic Xcm' Zealand Government’s action in providing for a second cruiser. Our dele nr a expenditure 'is an Insurance against enemy oppression ami in tho same way the defence expenditure at Home is designed similarly. The oversea countries of Britain have been well. i,..-.t t.i say liberally, treated in the matter of naval defence. The Dominions have leaned on the Motherland always, and tiie sn’egiianl provided lias not been given grudgingly. The Navy has served us well, and eu that ncriumt no can afford to take an inteiest in the developments now likely to come lo pass, under which the Navy in Home Maters is to be strengthened. The commerce of the Empire is so vast that the seas of the world must be policed adequately, am! the present Government nrcixding to its traditions is not likely to neglect its duty ill that respect. There is the opening and the need for a ship-building policy, first to rcphi: e obsolete ships and to bring the Navy up to safetv strength. A ship-building programme of this nature will lie helpful also industrially and we may consider it an accepted 1 ..•obability. The British Navy does not stand still. Experiments in all diret lions are taking place, and the new ships to be built now will be the very latest in every respect. This will be a double strength to the naval situation. The Singapore base is an important aspect of the naval policy. An English paper bints the subject will lie kept in the background. But tlct can be only pro tern. The present Government is committed leally to the naval base in the I’aeilie as highly essential to the interests of the Empire overseas. Australia and N*’m- Zealand are specially concerned about the matter and assured safety on that account Mould lie welcomed specially. W Idle not doubting the loyalty of Japan, and the friendship of the Baited States, British interests are of such importance in the Pacific, that with too passing years Great Britain cannot alford to niciely trade on friendly relations and old associations. There is too much ut stake. The Empire has its own safety for first concern and becomes most needful. The whole proon that account a base at Singapore gramme of naval defence will soon begin to unfold itself and for the Dominions the matter is of paramount unpoi tniice.