DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3379, 7 January 1920, Page 6

DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

Discussing Lord Jcllicoe’s reports to Australia and New Zealand, the Naval and Military Eccord says; —• The Pacific problem is much too complex to be solved by armchair experts, involving as it does so many political, naval, and military considerations. If Lord Jcllieoe was simply asked to draw up a programme of naval construction which would give reasonable security to the coasts

and seaborne trade of Australasia, we do not think that his suggestions can be termed excessive. In any case hi s responsibility ends when he has submited his plans. It is not for him to decide whether they ar e practicable from the financial point of view. In his judgment. the maritime interests of the Empire at stake in tho Par East are such as to demand within the next five years the maintenance of a powerful fleet made up of units supplied respectively by the Royal Navy and the Navies of Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Lord Jellieoe makes the very sensible suggestion that financial burden should he apportioned according to the commercial interests of the States concerned, and on this basis Australia would pay one-fifth of the cost of maintenance and New Zealand one-twentieth, the balance to be paid by Great Britain. It looks as if Lord Jcllieoo is of opinion that the strategical centre of gravity has

shifted from European waters to the Pacific Ocean. ,