THE NAVY OF THE EMPIRE

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 March 1914, Page 2

THE NAVY OF THE EMPIRE

WE wish we could believe in the local fleet of the Prime Minister, but the local fleet spoken of is not in sight. At present that is because there is no such thing. By and by the reason will be that one ship does not make a fleet. Now, when the Prime Minister was speaking on the west coast of the South Island the other day, he only mentioned the muchdiscussed Bristol cruiser, and said she would cost some moneys, apparently more than we can afford and certainly not enough to make any sort of impression on the solution of this tremendous problem of the defence by sea of this Empire. He added that he did not agree with Mr Churchill and Sir Edward Grey that the Japanese alliance is sufficient protection to us in the Pacific. Now, what they said was that the alliance, while placing on our side the only fleet worth considering in the Pacific, bound our side to keep all other navies out of it. So long as the alliance lasts, so long are we safe from any interference with our interests in the Pacific. But Mr Massey said this was not enough for him. There we agree with'our Prime Minister. That is a very proper spirit. He who would be free must be ready himself to strike the blow. So far we applaud with our very best " Bravo Massey." But the roads here diverge. When the time comes fop the blow to fall the Bristol cruiser will not be the right weapon for it. We shall want a complete fleet of the Empire for the purpose. It is for the consolidation of the cooperation necessary for such a fleet of the Empire that we con-

tend. The purchase of the Bristol ship may be a step in that direction. But it can be but a small one. Far better to go on as we are reserving our strength, and " go" ahead at the right moment.