NAVAL DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 263, 29 March 1913, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE

DEFENCE OF THE DOMJXIOXS. THE SCHEME CRITICISED. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Received 28, 10.30 p.m. London, March 28. Sir George Reid, in the course of un interview, said lie did not regard a squadron based at Gibraltar a sufficient guard to the Empire. He declared that Australia's opinion was that the Commonwealth should assume the defence of the southern seas. The evolution of naval defence required that similar steps should be taken in the North' Atlantic, the Xorth Pacific and the Far East. Serious objection to the opposite view was that it took no account of the development in the Dominions of the call of the sea, which must not be confined to British cars, but listened to by the whole nice, if they were to lay a sufficiently broad foundation for future responsibilities.

Mr. James Allen, Now Zealand Colonial Treasurer, thought the scheme had obvious advantages for the protection of the Mediterranean. The choice of Gibraltar did not satisfy him from the point of view of the defence of New Zealand. It would probably be unsatisfactory also to Australia. He added: "Mr. Churchill's view that the squadron could reach the outlying portions of the Empire more quickly than any European force does not satisfy us. We do not fear any European force; that is the crux of the matter." He believed that the facilities for the training of overseas officers and men would meet with a quick response. Sir Joseph Ward thought the Gibraltar base excellent. Xo immediate danger threatened: Xew Zealand, while the defence of the Mediterranean was as important as the defence of our own shores. The ideal solution would be the creation of a strong Pacific squadron. Until that was within the realm of practical politics the present scheme could hardly be improved on.

A "UTOPIAN" PROPOSAL GERMAN VIEWS. Received 28, 11.30 p.m. Berlin,, March 28. The press generally regard the naval holiday proposal as Utopian. Some assert it is intended to enable British shipyards to overtake arrears. It would mean closing German yards, where there is a dearth of work. PRAISE FOR MR. CHURCHILL. THE IMPERIAL PATROL. London, March 27. The Times says Mr. Churchill's statement will long be remembered for its bearing;, upon European and Imperial navy problems. In regard to the latter it stimulates local development, while giving the Dominion recruits the opportunity' of gaining experience in fleets manoeuvring on a European scale. It provides a practical and flexible test of naval, partnership. The., Telegraph congratulates Mr. Churchill on the segregation of the Dominions' ships for an Imperial patrol. The Pall Mall Gazette says the Dominions ,and the Malay States, which were interested in the defence of the Pacific and Eastern seas, would not feel that; the navy's best mobility had been restored by a licet with its base at Gibraltar..' An Imperial patrol must be absolutely free from any pre-occupa-:tion about the defence of the narrow seas and the Mediterranean.

THE NEW AIR FLEET. TO BE BRITISH BUILT. London, March 27. Mr. Churchill indicated that the rigid aeroplanes which were to he built would be constructed by British labor. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. SAFETY OF -'OUTER MARCHES." Received 28. i 1.40 p.m. Loudon, March 28. . In the House of Commons the naval debate is proceeding. Mr. Arthur Hamilton Lee (Hants) said we were too often obsessed by the North Sea peril, and did not pay sufficient attention to the trade routes of the outlying Empire. We were now running a .".rave risk in concentrating the legions'to defend the heart of the Empire. The safety of the outer marches we.s almost as important as the safety of the North Sea. The margin of safety was too small. Two keels to one were imperative. Mr. Churchill admitted that the battleship New Zealand was included in the vessels composing the KMo-10 standard of superiority, but the other Dominions' • ■ift.- were not included. " Lord Charb's Bcresford commended the arming of merchantmen, which were together worth more than liftee'l Dreadnoughts. The real danger was not invasion, but starvation. Mr. Keir Ile.rdie declar--! that Britain was not playing the »a>ne fairlv with i Germany bv omitting th.; colonial ship'j from the fifl per cent, standard.