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Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1926, Page 2

selves. Thf. thought for the times to-day suggests that there is much room for New Zealand to do much more to help the Motherland in the matter of naval defence. This is more so the case now that Great Britain has such a burden to bear as the outcome of the Great

War. In the pre-war days Britain maintained its navy without undue effort, but now we know the maintenance is a very heavy demand, and Britain has to economise seriously to do the task. The closing of important naval stations round the coast of Wales and Scotland is evidence of

what- is happening, and more rigorous economics we are told are to ho enforced round the coast of England.

Great Britain now has a crushing burden of taxes to hear, and we know that much of that burden was incurred by the success with which the ocean highways wore kept open during the period of iho war. It should he

ard to gunge what the oversea. Connies of i lie Umpire gained liv reason r the work- of iho British Navy during

lie war. Our commerce went forme! almost as usual, and we know

lint flic producers reaped high prices

for their products over a long period. Much wealth flowed into the country as a result of the security with which the maritime trade was carried on. ami that debt is far from being discharged. New Zealand is very remote from the centre of Empire where our trade lies mostly. We arc dependent, on the British Navy for the maintenance of our trade route. The New Zealand Navv. such as it is, is barely sufficient

for c oast defence eve re war to break out. The long sea route to our markets is in the keeping of the British Navy, and it is to that quarter wo look for safety of transport. The Prime Minister is favorable to a greater contribution to the British Navy, ami there is a very .strong feeling in Now Zealand nowadays that the Dominion ought to make a more substantial payment to tbe upkeep of the British Navy—our sure shield. Snell a contribution will be in the nature of an insurance premium for national safety. It- should hr readily fortlieoini ng.