Our Naval Policy.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 77, 22 July 1914, Page 5

Our Naval Policy.

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS.

THE PROPOSED CHANCE.

[Pub Peem Association.]

Wellington, July 22

Naval Defence occupied the attention of the Farmers Union at their conference to-day, opinion being divided as to whether New Zealand should establish a navy of its own, or pay a yearly contribution to the upkeep of the British Navy. Eventually the following motion, introduced by .Mr A. Toss (Auckland) was carried:—

“That this Conference, while affirming the position that New Zealand should contribute its fair share towards the defence of the Empire, is of opinion that the proposed change of policy in regard to the naval subsidy is such an allimportanf matter an<J fraught with

such serious and far-reaching results that the Dominion should not finally he committed until the matter has been more fully discussed; and that final decision should be left until after the Imperial Conference.”

The voting was twenty-six votes for the motion and four against.