The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1919. THE DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1919. THE DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

One of the great lessons of the war has been the bringing home to the people of the Dominions what the British Navy really means for the overseas portions of the Empire. It is generally agreed that the real factor in achieving victory was the navy. It blockaded enemy countries, kept their fleets practically imprisoned beliind their own barriers, protected the United Kingdom and the Empire, made possible the transportation of armed forces to the various war theatres, and enabled food supplies and raw material, as well as munitions, to be eonveyed to their destination 111 spite of the frantic efforts of the German submarines to sink all vessels at sight. Bat for the British and allied fleets the Dominions would have found no market for their produce, and what that would have meant can readily he imagined. As a consequence the end of the war has brought a far clearer conception of the potency and importance of the Navy, so that it is only natural that a desire has arisen on the part of the Dominions to take stock of their obligations towards the Navy with a view to readjusting their contributions thereto ar.d generally doing aorr share towards its mamcoEu\acc, ss well as taking practical step- to esfegn&rd - theiv shores. The decision of the Imperii! G-ovorsrnont to dispateli Admiral Jellicoe to India aad the British Dominions to eive advice on naval matters is of immense importance. In the eyes of the citizens of the whole Empire Admiral Jellicoe is regarded as the foremost naval authority of the day, while the leading part he played in directing naval operations during the first three years of the war will not readily be forgo eta?. There still lingers in. the memory of manjc the visit paid to the Dominions by the iate Lord Eitehcner —the greatest of Britain's military leaders of modern time?, and it is a distinct compliment to the overseas portions of tlie Empire that Admiral Jellicoe, who to the Navy is what LQrd Kitchener was to the Army, should be deputed to pay them an official visit. History will assuredly accord these two men of their■ time an honored place, so that Admiral Jellicoe's visit will confer on the Dominions an honor whic>j should be greatly appreciated. Of his welcome there can be no question, and it is to be hoped that the visiS of the British. Fleet to New Zealand will be so arranged that ample time will be allowed for a visit to all the principal port", including New Pl/vnont:), ao tlttS tlio poop'.? mry have the opportunity of demonstrating' their appreciation of the Navy's v?orii and honoring Admiral Jellicoe for his conspicuous leadership. The Navy has always been popular, but its ?/or services, especially so far es the Dominions arc concerned, have east a radiance ovc? it?} personnel that time vri'i! not diss?. No act of the liTipc.ia) antlioriiiea could have given the Bomiaioirj greater pie,"sine than to receive and acaava.l persoaase

j who has beenselectedto visit them. There is such a direct link • between ths Navy and the Empire thai, it isj inconceivable one could exist without the other, and that is a potent reason why the Dominions should have a more direct inteii'St in the Navy. Admiral Jelliooe ia not coming to New Zealand to arouse practical interest in the Navy, for there io no need for such, a mission. The interest already exists, and the people have corns to recognise that just as they have shared in the benefits conferred upon them by the British Navy, so must they bo prepared to bear their due share of the responsibilities for keeping this arm of defence up, to full <■-1 rength in men and ships. The mne has come when the Dominions are to help the Motherland in the administration of Imperial affairs. There ia to be unity of aim and a real co-operation. We may therefore regard the visit of Admiral Jellieoe and the imperial naval contingent as ike outward and visible sign of the new era. Moreover it should put an end to the controversy that formerly arose over the question of local navies. If there is to be true unity, if the Dominions ars represented in the Imperial Cabinet, if the valuable lesson gained in the war as to unity of control is to bear fruit, then ther? can be no question as to the policy that irhor.ld be adopted. Moreover, this naval, question is greatly exercising the-minds of ?, section of Americans, who appear to regard as essential that the United States j shall net take second place as a naval power, but we need not devote either thought or comment to such a policy. All the Empire is concerned about is that the British Navy shall be equal to all requirements, and it is the manifest duty of the Dominions to adequately contribute to the cost of naval protection. Up to fifteen years ago New Zealand paid £20,000 a year, which was subsequently increased to £40,000, and for the last ten years has been £IOO,OOO. Taking into consideration the value of the Dominion's produce transported overseas it is quite clear that the present contribution is out of all proportion to what itshould be. We heartily welcome Admipal Jellieoe's visit, as itshould lead to a definite policy being formulated by all the dominions on naval matters. No time could have been better chosen than the present to lay the foundations of a satisfactory programme, and , put an end to the political differ- i ences on a subject that is so vital to the whole Empire.