PACIFIC DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 5, 6 June 1913, Page 5

PACIFIC DEFENCE

PRESS COMMENT. MW ZEALAND'S INTENTIONS. By Cable—Preßs Association—Copyright. . Sydney, June 5. IRoTerring to the defence of the Pacific, ■tihe .Herald says: '"lf the recommendation that Mr. Allen brought back from his conference with the British Government is that New Zealand should create its own naval force in the Pacific, we can assure 'him the need not fear any attempt by Australia to obtain control over it. The adoption by New Zealand of a policy of maintaining her own ships, even if it be in the first instance only a flotilla of destroyers and submarines, is too important to the interests of both countries, and to Canada and' the Empire also, for Australians to jeopardise it by vain talk of Commonwealth predominance in control. Doubtless from ordinary considerations' of prudence in business there -must be co-operation, and pro'ba'bly rclose and intimate co-operation, between Che Xew Zealand and Australian units. The Commpnwealth will certainly give New Zealand every assistance in its ipower. If we enter into arrangements regarding co-operation we shall enter ,as equals. If Canada does not join the scheme there will be all the more need for the closest co-operation ■between Australia and New Zealand.