THE PACIFIC FLEET

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8341, 30 January 1913, Page 10

THE PACIFIC FLEET

FEDERAL PROPOSAL CONFERENCE OF DOMINIONS TO BE REVIVED. MELBOURNE, January 21. The Minister of Defence, Senator Pearce, to-day made the following statement with regard to the Commonwealth’s suggestion for the holding of a subsidiary conference between the Governments of the different parts of the Empire in regard to naval defence : ii First of all, I would like to say that during tho Imperial Conference in 1911 the Ministers of the self-governing dominions who were there were invited, to attend, and did attend, a meeting of the Imperial Defence Committee, so that tho presence of the Canadian Minister on the Defence Committee is not a new thing nor in any way an innovation. The precedent was established in 1911, when Mr Fisher, Mr Batchelor, and myself, and other Dominion Ministers were present. As to the position of the Defence Committee on tho question of foreign policy, I may point out that tho Defence Committee is essentially an advisory body, it is a semi-political body, in that the Prime Minister, the Minister of State for War, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and tho Chancellor of the Exchequer are members of it. But it also has naval and military experts connected with it, such as Chief of the Imperial General Staff and the First Sea Lord of the Admiralty. It does not, and it cannot, formulate a foreign policy. It can only advise on naval and military matters as they affect, or are affected by, the foreign policy.

NAV AIt COOPERATION

“ The question to bo decided, it seems to me, is’essentially one of policy, that is, a method by which the Dominions shall assist in the _ naval and military defence of the Empire and the form in which such assistance shall be given. It has to be remembered that these Dominions havo had conferred upon them full powers of self-govern-ment in relation to naval and military defence. Obviously, if they are to cooperate with one another, and with the United Kingdom, for the common protection of all, that is a matter of policy which can only be decided by the respective Governments or their representatives. Such a conference was held in 1909, at which three different schemes of naval co-operation wore drann up as between the Governments of Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the Government of the United Kingdom. These schemes varied in each case. In regard to Australia it was the provision of a fleet unit in the Pacific, owned and controlled by the Australian Government. A somewhat similar scheme was adopted for Canada, with a slight variation, and for New Zealand it was arranged that the Dominion should contribute a Dreadnought to the Admiralty, and an annual subsidy. In return for such the Admiralty undertook to keep certain ships on the New Zealand coast, and send the Dreadnought on an annual cruise there.

“ The Australian agreement is the only one that has been carried out. If co-operation is to be ensured, therefore, it becomes necessary for Canada and New Zealand either to carry out its schemes of the 1909 conference or propose some other to take their places. Australia, as I have said, is not in the same position. Its scheme is being carried out. There is, therefore, an essential difference between the position of Australia at the present juncture and the position of both Canada and Now Zealand. THE DEFENCE COMMITTEE.

“We have not been given any hint either by the British Government or the Admiralty that they have changed their minds in regard to the wisdom of the agreement with Australia. That agreement, I may say, originated with the Admiralty, and was proposed to the conference in 1909 by the Admiralty. The scheme for the fleet unit did not originate with the Australian Government of that day, nor with the representatives at the conference, as the records of the conference will show.

“Having reached this position, the Australian Government is of opinion that it would be advantageous if Canada and New Zealand could see their way to come to an agreement as to the defence of British interests in the Pacific.

“ Following the announcement of the visit of the Canadian Minister to England and his attendance at the Defence Committee, this Government received an invitation to send a Minister also. We thought it desirable to suggest that, in order to get a complete understanding on the question of cooperation in naval defence, a subsidiary conference should be held in Australia early this year, and if that were not practicable, we were prepared to attend a conference in New Zealand, South Africa, or in Vancouver, and accordingly intimated this to the Imperial Government. We have received information that it is impossible to hold a general naval conference at the places and time suggested, and the question will be allowed to be revived at a later period of the year. “ I think what I have said will show there is no necessity at the present juncture for an Australian Minister on the Defence Committee. Our policy ia known, and it has the approval of the Admiralty; and it can be adjusted to meet any development that may take place in the Canadian and New Zealand naval policies. We are hopeful that these countries will yet fall into line.

“ I think there can be no question that the United Kingdom conld build as many ships as are likely to be required. The question that will arise if the present building programme goes on will be—Can she find the officers and men? The Australian naval policy differs from that of any of the other dominions, in_ that it makes provision for the training of both officers and men to man the ships we provide.”