PROBLEM OF THE PACIFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 172, 29 December 1914, Page 4

PROBLEM OF THE PACIFIC.

COMMONWEALTH PREMIER IN AUCKLAND. AUSTRALASIAN CO-OPERATION URGED. A POLICY OF SELF-RELIANCE. I!y Telegraph.—Per Press Association^ Auckland, Last Night. Co-operation between the two countries for the o£ it naval force to defcnfl Au .tvalia anil New Zealand is regarded l>y the Prime. Minister of .\nstralin, ivlio arrived in Auckland this afternoon, as a rational conclusion to which consideration of the ijuestion will lea l. Though his "visit to New Zealand is primarily recreative, Mr. Fisher hopes to find opportunity to foster a greater intimacy between the Commonwealth and the, Dominion by discussing the subject with the public men of New Zealand. A general statement of his views regarding naval defence was' given this evening by Mr. Fisher. He lias not prepared any definite scheme for the consideration of his audience, but is contend in the meantime to enunciate a broad, basis of argument in favor of an Australasian policy. He declared that the events of the past few months have shown that the defence of tlie British Dominions in the Pacific is a matter demanding the urgent consideration of the Australasian peoples from the point of practical necessity. Some people think that the close of this contest with Germany and Austria will be followed by a peaceful period of many years. He remarked that such a hope had too uncertain a foundation upon which to trust our safety and security. '"lt is quite unreasonable to expect the Mother Country, with the enemy at her gates, to devote her energy in the defence of distant Dominions, whose own strength enables them to act in their own behalf. Moreover, the national development of I both Australia and New Zealand will b# J stimulated if they determine to upon their own resources for the defcnca |of their countries, for which they aJi ready realise themselves to be respon- | sible, by undertaking the maintenance of ! a naval force which will be a parfaof the 1 British Navy, but under the executiv» control of tiie two countries, so that it j can be utilised speedily and efficiently. lat any time. They will develop thejf | manhood, expand their ideas,, and | toughen the fibre of the race. Our ex- | perieneo during the existence of the AugI tralian fleet has shown that local conj trol in naval defence is the most utili- ! tarian, and probably the only practicable 1 method." I Mr. Fisher declared that "the interests and the destiny of both Australia and I New Zealand arc so irrevocably related ! that it seems to me that co-operation is desirable and advantageous to, both countries. In some respects the interests of Canada are involved, but her affairs ' are not so closely allied with ours. Sudh ' a co-operation need not impair the autonomy or the responsibility of eithei country. There is no idea in AustraUk ■ that tiie Commonwealth should exercise I a dominant control in the partnership, nor has it any desire to influence the Dominion beyond its immediate interests I and our common advantage. There can be no doubt that our responsibilities as j Dominions will greatly increase with j the growth in our population and im- . portance. In my opinion, the day has already come 'when our own Belf-respect should persuade us to abandon the polioy i of reliance upon the British taxpayer for our protection. We are not richer in financial resources, but our countries are much richer 'in productive power, and our condition demands that we should bear at least our full sliaro of our own defence, and so co-operate in the maintenance of the Empire." Mr; Fisher added that he hoped to foster public sympathy with the policy he was advocating. "If no more isi achieved," he remarked, "we can at leasfe gain a proper knowledge of each other's point of view. Whether New Zealand 1 isf prepared to enter into such a scheme 'of co-operation or not, Australia will I continue to do her part in accordance" with this policy, building her own shipty and striving to make her defensive prei cautions independent of other countries." i Mr. Fisher remains in Auckland until about Saturday, when he proceeds to Rotorua for a brief stay. A tour, embracing the whole of the mail) districta of New Zealand, is being mapped out., , ! .