THE DOMINION'S DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 306, 19 May 1913, Page 5

THE DOMINION'S DEFENCE.

j ADDRESS BY MR. MASSEY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehnrcli, Lust .Night. The Prime Minister (the lion. 1\ Massey), at the rei|ii<'*t of the Hon. 11. lleaton Rhodes. Atutig-Al.'uinlfr lor Defence, presented medals to iwu men:bera of the Senior Cadets, who formed pan of the New Zealand cadet teirtii which visited Canada. In ihe course ol" a brier address, in which lie complimented the team on its achievements in Canada, Mr. Massey said that he was glad to be able to say that matters connected with the Defence Act were upon the whole, working smoothly and well, and Hit people of the country had begun to realise its value and importance. It was hardly necessary for him to' remind them that the Government had found it necessary to send the Minister of Defence to England, and that while lit was there the Hon. Jas. Allen had hid an opportunity of conferring v.ith the Imperial authorities, both on laiul and naval defences. Some of tlie Government's journalistic friends were impatient to know what had been done, lhat would be made public in due course. The proper thing was for Mr. Allen to get back to New Zealand, have an opportunity of conferring with his colleagues, and any proposal the Government had to make would be laid before Parliament in a proper ancT constitutional manner. "As far as I am concerned," Mi 1 . Massey continued, "and I speak as a citizen- of the Empire, we ought to do everything possible to provide for land defence, so that in the event of trouble, we may be. able to take care of ourselves, and there is an Imperial fleet, in the British Home waters, able to hold its own against any possible enemy or enemies. So I hope the time has come when there should be ft British fleet in the Pacific also, able to hold its own against any probable combination in these seas." Mr. Massey concluded with a reference to H.M.S. New Zealand, as representing the British Navy, on which the Empire depended. The Prime Minister and Hon. W. H. Herries left to-night for Wellington.