The Dutch Indies

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 209, 4 March 1914, Page 5

The Dutch Indies

SAMARAXG EXHIBITION 1 'M NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITS. ADVOCATED. DEFENCE SCHEME Hy Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland. I>ast Night, Mr. J. 11. S. Stuart, managing agent for Australia for the Royal Packet 8.8. Company, which ruua steamers between Australia and Java, arrived in Auckland yesterday to make arrangements, if possible, for a New Zealand exhibit of produce at the forthcoming exhibition at Samarang. Afr. Stuart point** out that thirty-five millions of people

live in a country little bigger than the South Island of New Zealand, bo there is an enormous market for New Zealand produce.

Mr. Stuart had a good deal to say about the menace of Japan, The Gov. eminent of Holland has gone seriously into the question of a proper defence of the Dutch Indies. He said that a Royal Commission of Defence hail been set up, aii i as a result, nine Dreadnoughts are to be built, also eighteen destroyers and twelves submarines. That n)«W9 a heavy expenditure, but, in the growth of Japan since the Russian war it is felt necessary to prepare to defend the Indies. "This," said Mr. Stuart, "is a matter that also interests you over here, for if once Java passed into the hands of an Eastern nation it would bring them within very close striking distance of Australia. It is an easy four days' steam to the nearest point from Java to Australia, and still less from some of the outlying islands belonging to the Dutch. Although the expenditure on defence will be large, the Government of Holland recognise the value of Java, as these islands are progressing wonderfully, and during the last ten years imports and exports have increased by 25 per cent."