DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 308, 29 December 1914, Page 7

DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

COMMONWEALTH PREMIER AND NAVAL MATTERS. Per Press Association. Auckland, December 28. Co-operation between the two countries lor the establishment of a naval force to defend Australia and New Zealand is regarded by the Prime Minister of Australia, who arrived in Auckland this afternoon, as a rational conclusion to which consideration of the question a ill lead. Though his visit to New Zealand is primarily recreative, Mr r isher hopes to find opportunity to foster a greater intimacy between the Commonwealth and the Dominion by discussiug the subject with the public men of New Zealand.

A general statement of his views regarding naval defence was given this evening by Mr Fisher. He has not prepared any definite scheme for the

uisideration of his audience, but is content in the meantime to enunciate i broad basis of argument in favor of m Australasian policy. He declared that the events of the past few mouths aave shown that the defence of the ,-itish Dominions in the Pacific is a matter demanding the urgent considerition of the /Australasian peoples from die point of practical necessity. Some jeople think that the close of this conost with Germany and Austria will be followed hy a peaceful period of many ears. He remarked that such a hope •.ad too uncertain a foundation upon vhich to trust our safety and security. ' ‘lt is quite unreasonable to expect lie Mother Country, with the enemy it her gates, to devote her energy in the defence of distant Dominions, Vhose own strength enables them to ict in their own behalf. Moreover, die national development of both Australia and New Zealand will be Simulated if they determine to rely pon their own resources for the deehce of their countries, for which they already realise themselves to be reponsible, by undertaking the mainenanee of a naval force which will »e a part of the .British Navy, but tinier the executive control of the two •ountries, so that it can be utilised speedily arid efficiently at any time. T hey will develop their manhood, ex•raid their ideas, and toughen the "lire of the race. Our experience dur:ug the existence of the Australian leet has shown that local control in naval defence is the most utilitarian, udi probably the only practicable 'mthod.” Mr Fisher declared that “the intersts and destiny of both Australia and Now Zealand are so irrevocably related that it seems to me that co-oper-ation is desirable and advantageous to both countries. In some respects the interests of Canada are involved, but her affairs are not so closely allied with ours. Such a co-operation meet not impair the autonomy or the iresponsibility of either country. There is no idea . in. Australia that the'Com-' momvealth should exercise a dominant ■ontrol in the partnership, nor has it my desire to influence the Dominion beyond its immediate interests and our common advantage. There can be no loubt that our responsibilities as Dominions will greatly increase with the growth in our population and importince. In my opinion, the day has al'hady come when our own self-respect should persuade us to abandon the oolicy of reliance upon the British taxpayer for our protection. We are not "'-•her in financial resources, but our •ountries are much richer in productive power, and our condition demands that we should bear at least our full share of our own defence, and so cooperate in the maintenance of the Empire.”

Mr Fisher added that he hoped to Foster public sympathy with the policy bo was advocating. “If no more is achieved,” he remarked, “we can at ''‘ast gain a proper knowledge of each other’s point of view. Whether New Zealand is prepared to enter into such a scheitae of co-operation or not, Australia will continue to do her part in accordance with this policy, building her own ships, and striving to make her defensive precautions independent of other countries.”

Mr Fisher remains in Auckland until about Saturday, when he proceeds to Botorua for a brief stay. A tour, embracing the whole of the main dis-' tricts of New’ Zealand, is being mapped out.