DEFENCE EXPENDITURE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1929, Page 7

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE COMMITMENTS.

UPKEEP OF CRUISERS

WELLINGTON, September 7. That the increase of £40,000 in the estimates of the Defence Department this year was due to commitments made at the 1926 Imperial Conference, involving the maintenance of two cruisers, an annual contribution of iii2s,Coo toward the cost of the Singaapore base, and the extension of the Calliope Dock, Auckland, was explained by the Minister of Defence (Hon. T. M. Wilford) when replying in the House of Representatives yesterday to a discussion on the annual report on New Zealand’s defence forces. Mr Wilford stated that when the naval defence estimates were presented to him they were £40,000 higher than they were to-day. They were reduced by £40,000, yet they were still £40,000 in excess of what they were last year. Members were justified in inquiring the reason for the increase. “The answer is that we have never in this country since the Imperial Conference of 1926 carried out in its entirety our responsibility in connection with the arrangement entered into there. We made a contract and agreed to do certain 'things,” said Mr Wilford. “The Leader of the (Opposition knows that prior to the finalisation of the arrangements, the British Government suggested that we should maintain in tnese waters as a unit of the British Navy three cruisers. After it had been practically arranged that we should do that as our share towards the defence of the Empire, at, roughly £170,000 per cruiser per annum, it was agreed by the present Leader of the Oppositou on belialf of New Zealand, that New Zealand’s contribution, towards naval Imperial defence should be particularly fixed according to the circumstances, requirements, and responsibilities of the particular country. Instead of haying to find £510,00.0 per annum for the three cruisers we were asked to keep two cruisers at £170,000 each, to contribute £125,000 per annum for the Singapore base, and to increase the facilities at the Calliope Dock to make up the £510,000 we were willing to. pay for the maintenance of the three cruisers. Mr Coates agreed to that, and in April, 1927, made a public annoueement to that effect, and there was not a dissentient voice throughout the country. Since 1926 we have kept two cruisers, hut, instead of the cost being £170,000, the Dunedin has cost £200,600 and the Diomede £180,000.” Mr Coates: Does that take into consideration the trip Home? Mr Wilford: No.

The Minister added that nothing had been done to increase the docking facilities at Auckland to make the dock tit for an A class cruiser. That, however, was now being done. The increase of £40,000 would not necessarily be a permanent increase, because the British Government, realising perhaps, me state of New Zealand’s finances this year, had made very generous arrangements with regard to the cost of repairing the Diomede, which was to leave for England next month. The cost of repairing the Diomede would be £60,000.