OUR NAVAL POLICY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8, 14 May 1913, Page 6

OUR NAVAL POLICY.

THE DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright! [United Press Association.] (Received 12.15 p.m.) Vancouver, May 13. Mr Jas. Allen has arrived. Civil and military officers welcomed him. In an interview, Mr Allen declared that he was greatly impressed with his Canadian trip. He was questioned on New Zealand’s naval policy, but ho declined to outline it, because he must first submit it for the New Zealand Government’s’ approval. ! It is understood a permanent policy will be drafted in conjunction with the Admiralty.

Mi- Allen was entertained by the Canadian Club, and appealed for Canadian assistance in defence of the Pacific in conjunction with Australia. As a Britisher, ho would like to see a Consolidated Empire, strong enough to stand without an entente cordiale, not that he undervalued an entente, as undoubtedly the North- Sea and the Mediterranean were vital points of the Empire’s defence, but the Pacific ought not to bo disregarded, as the Pacific was becoming increasingly important and ought to be protected. It is understood that Mr Allen, as the result of a conference with the Admiralty, will recommend in Now Zealand an adequate system of land defences, also the formation of a mosquito fleet, which will ho utilised in New Zealand waters. Whether New Zealand will later build battleships and form a local fleet on the Australian model, Mr Allen refused to state. (Received 12.15 a.in.) Vancouver, May 13. Mr Allen said that British Ministers had not fully realized the new position arising in the Pacific. They did not see the need of keeping a race pure, and keeping out of unfair economic competition. New Zealand was desperately anxious to preserve its traditions of freedom and its privileges, and appealed to Canda to aid therein. He said that only by such union could anything of real benefit to the Empire be achieved.