PACIFIC DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 150, 12 November 1912, Page 5

PACIFIC DEFENCE.

{ AX AUSTRALASIAN FLEET. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Melbourne, November 11. Speaking at the Mayoral luncheon, Lord Denman commented on universal' training as likely to act as a check on militarism instead of encouraging it. He hoped the Australian scheme would be supplemented by one for naval defence in which New Zealand would cooperate. Admiral King-Hall, urging the ncces- . gity of developing naval defence, said - that if care was not taken to safeguard them, both Australia and New Zealand .would be forced to enter the orbit of world's politics, which would affect the Empire. He would like to see New Zealand and the Commonwealth creating a formidable Pacific division of the Imperial fleet. Mr. Fisher said that from private and semi-official communications (he Was satisfied that the feeling in New Zealand that she should co-operate with Australia in naval matters was growing. He trusted that before long there would be closer reciprocal trade relations with New Zealand. He did not "wish to press the Dominion in that direction, but the Commonwealth was willing at all times to discuss such- matters, not from the view of party politics, but from a national standpoint, as tending to the progress and safety both of the Dominions in the Pacific.