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Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1927, Page 2

The fact that France and Italy are not parties to the present naval limitations conference is obviously a. consideration which cannot be ignored. Great Britain, at least, says a Dunedin paper, cannot a (ford to disregard the naval plans of these two Continental Powers. It is all to the credit of Great Britain that, situated as she is, with all her naval traditions, and with obviously a greater need o-f a powerful fleet than any other Power today, she has shown such a readiness to discuss limitation of the form of armament, upon which she is absolutely dependent for security. In its reply to President Coolidge’s memorandum of February, the British Government very properly emphasised the point that the special geographical position of tile British Empire, the length of inter-imperial communications, and the necessity of the protection of its food supplies must lie taken into account in any discussions that took place. Manifestly the delga.tes representing the Empire at Geneva cannot commit themselves to anything that would interfere with the liberty of action of Great Britain and the Dominions in the matter of providing what they deem to he a sufficiency of ciniseis for the protection of their communications and trade routes. Not impelled hv a, similar necessity, the l nited States and Japan may support at Geneva proposals to* which Great Britain and tho Dominions would, in the interests of security, lie unable to agree. Tn any ease, however, such disagreement could not fairly lie adi a need as a ground for any suggestion of lack of sincerity in Britain’s professed desire to see competition in naval armaments discouraged.