Dominion’s Share in Naval Defence

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 15

Dominion’s Share in Naval Defence

PRIME MINISTER FIRM

SINGAPORE CONTRIBUTION y?NGLAND spends 25s a head on naval defence, Australia over 17s a head, and New Zealand at present Bs. The increased grant for the Singapore Base means an increase of about 2s a head in New Zealand, and this couid be met out of surplus, so that no actual increase in rates would be necessary. I believe the opinion in the country is overwhelmingly in favour of adequate naval defence. This statement, in so many words, was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in Auckland yesterday, replying to criticism by Mr. H. E. Holland, of the proposed increased contribution to Britain on the score of naval defence. PEOPLE IN AGREEMENT Mr. Coates said the majority of the people would heartily agree that, from Empire and New Zealand points of view, naval defence was necessary. There was no lack of appreciation of the efforts of those whose efforts were directed to international peace, and everything to further it would be done. Since the war, New Zealand's active participation in every step in the direction of peace, indicated its general attitude toward world affairs. WAR NOT YET IMPOSSIBLE But no thinking man could assert with any confidence that war was impossible in the future, and it was a simple fact that while other nations retained their armaments, it was essential that we should do the same if we desired to maintain intact the Empire as it existed to-day, together with the principles and ideals upon which it was founded. To those Dominions in the Pacific the provision of an adequate naval base was essential, and the only question was whether the proposed contribution from New Zealand was more than the country should be called upon to bear. In view of the figures quoted above he did not think so. REMEMBER 1914-18 He disagreed with Mr. Holland in that he thought the announcement of the increase on Anzac Day eve did not mean they were thinking of other than peace, but that it served as an indication to the Empire and the world that we had not forgotten the common cause of 1915. Those who lived must endeavour to preserve those things for which our men had died.

The surplus last year was sufficient to meet the increase, and he had no doubt that prudent administration would allow of the same position in future j T ears.

VITAL TO EMPIRE’S LIFE

NAVY LEAGUE VIEW “There is no security except for those who can defend themselves,” said the President of the Navy League, Mr. John Alexander, C.M.G., at the annual meeting last night. He said it positively. ALEXANDER was dealing with the importance of the Singapore Base to New Zealand as well as to Australia. He pointed out that without a fleet the Empire could not have been, and without the navy the army could not function. In stressing the necessity for preparedness the president quoted Henry Ford, who was thought by most people to be one of the greatest pacifists of the day. “All the treaties that have been duly signed to date have served to prevent only such wars as no one wanted.”

“The Singapore Base is vital to our very existence,” the speaker went on. “The Navy League can do what the Silent Navy itself cannot do. It can speak, write, publish, and educate the public.” QUESTIONS FO ~* THE GOVERNMENT

In view of the lessons of the last war, the distance of the* Dominion from the main base of the British Fleet, the length of our coastline, and our commercial dependence on the free transport and marketing of our produce, the League has urged the Government and its naval advisers to consider these five questions: Is the class of cruiser now upon the New Zealand station reasonably modern, fast,- and powerful? Should cruisers and other vessels upon this station be equipped with sea-planes and catapults for launching them? Has not the time arrived when there should be ample and suitable complementary submarine and seaplane defences for the Dominion? Are minefields now necessary as part of our naval defences, and if so are the facilities and equipment for their preparation available? Are there sufficient minesweepers oment available on this station? *• ■•*!*- After pointing out the folly of economy when applied to either the defence of our coastline and trade routes, or to the Singapore Base, Mr. Alexander proposed the following resolution, which was carried: “That the Auckland branch of the Navy League unanimously tenders the Prime Minister its congratulations for his statesmanlike recommendations relative to the Dominion’s contribution to the Singapore Base, and to the defence of our shores and trade routes.”