DEFENCE MATTERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 7

DEFENCE MATTERS.

THE MINISTER INTERVIEWED. DOMINION AND THE NAVY. [Per Press Association'.] AUCKLAND, September 24. Replying to a deputation of yachtsmen yesterday regarding the motor patrol reserves, tho Minister of Defenco said there must be developments in New Zealand's relation to naval matters in future, otherwise ho would not remain in the Cabinet. Interviewed subsequently, Mr -Allen said that personally he did not believo in a money contribution to the Imperial Navy. The Dominion should take its own share in tho creation of such by providing its own units, in which New Zealanders might serve. It was never intended that there should be a lecal navy, but a New Zealand unit. As regards m litary service board's, the Minister said that the principles upon which they would operate would bo laid down by a meeting of me chairmen of tho respective boards, who would also confer if difficulties arose in administration of the Act. 'llie groat pr.nciple, however, should be uniformity of judgment, so that iv.cn would not no treated harshly in one di.T.rict and lightly jn another. Questioned regarding tho discharge of soldiers after' the war, Mr Allen said that the return and di charge ol New Zealand troops would be gradual. Ho did not think that there would be any flooding of tho luoour market There would be no extension of timo for enrolment in the Reserve, and shirkers would lie prosecuted without further warning.