NAVAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1919, Page 4

NAVAL DEFENCE.

ADMIRAL JELLICOE'S REPORT. AN INDEPENDENT FLEET; SCHEME FOR HOME DEFENCE. By-Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Admiral Jellicoe's report was laid on the table of the House of Representatives this afternoon. It is a lengthy document dealing with the subject in great detail from all aspects. , A covering letter to the GovernorGeneral traverses the course of the discussions on naval defence since the crisis of 1909, when the New Zealand Government presented the battle cruiser New Zealand to the Imperial Government. It then refers to the result of Sir James Allen's visit to England in 1913, under which arrangements were prepared for the organisation and training of a New Zealand naval force, the officers and men whereof were to' be available for service in any ship maintained in future by the New Zealand Government, or in any ship of the Royal Navy in New. Zealand waters, or the Pacific, or belonging tojHhe China or East Indies Squadrons. It was understood the manning of the ships in' New Zealand waters was the primary, object of the New Zealand naval force. The outbreak of war occurred befqre*any action had been taken in the matter, of recruiting' and training officers and men for the New Zealand naval ■ force. A NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. Admiral Jellicoe says: "Experience has shown.abundantly that responsibilities in the matter of naval defence are far more clearly recognised and i far more cheerfully shouldered if the result of the effort made is apparent* to those making it. In other words, if the ships provided are seen by the people who pay for them and are manned, as far as possible, by their own kitlj,and kin." % With the adoption of such a policy 1 there is still no reason why the vessels should not form part and parcel of the Royal Navy with the ships of the same type and personnel, actuated by tha same motives, trained on the same lines, imbued with the same traditions, governed by practically a common discipline and aiming at the same high standard of efficiency. His proposals are drawn up with this object in view. The general principle on which■ ths proposals are based is that New Zealand should co-operate in the naval defence of the Empire and assist the Mother' Country financially by paying for tho manning and maintenance of a certain proportion of the. Far Eastern Fleet, and of all vessels required for harbor defence in New Zealand, as well as by providing such portions of personnel as are practicable. It is suggested that the Vessels maintained by the people of New Zealand should be termed "the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy." '■.''". It is proposed that the administration of the Division should be carried out by a board consisting of the Minister of .1 Defence and a naval officer, with the rank of commodore. The provisions of the Naval Defence Act. 1913, for the Division being placed under the control of the Admiralty during war, or/when hostilities are imminent, should continue. A sufficient naval force must be kept in various parts of the world to protect trade and ensure the early capture or destruction of raiders. NO LOCAL BUILDING. It is not recommended that steps should be taken to build war vessels in New Zealand, or that any naval dockyarl should be contemplated. For the present, repairs and refits should be carried out In private yards in New Zealand or in the Australian Government establishments. It has been ascertained that repairs are not beyond the capacity of ■the commercial yards in New Zealand. though they might be carried out under some disadvantages. FAR EASTERN WATERS' GUARD. Defence against submarines (which the late war has shown can operate at immense distances from their bases), and against aerial attack also'requires consideration, though in the case of New Zealand the danger of aerial attack is only slight under present' conditions. In dealing with the problems befor.? him, AdmiraJ Jellicoe says he had to. review the whole naval question in its relation to Far Eastern waters, from the Indian Ocean to Canada. All portions of the British Empire in these waters are equally interested in their security. As regards sea communications an inevitable conclusion is that the defence of these communications should be entrusted to one fleet composed of units from those parts of the Empire directly concerned While definite proposals are put forward, it is recognised the decisions may be affected by the formation of the League of Nations/and the report can only deal with conditions as they exist. Som,e of the questions concerned are Imperial comments, some affect the Commonwealth of Australia, and others apply to Now Zealand. MINE SWEEPING METHODS. It is desirable that New Zealand should become independent of outside assistance. In the work of mine sweeping the simplest and cheapest method of obtaining, in war, the services of efficient, mine sweeping vessels is by the encouragement of the trawler fishery service during peace. COAL SUPPLIES -VITAL. The larger ships of the Australian Navy at present are fitted to burn coal, with oil as an auxiliary, and the fact that for many weeks *oa"l-burhing ships in the Pacific have been unable to obtain suitble coal emphasises the dangerous position that would have existed if it had been necessary to move the ships for active service during this interval. The danger of the situation has been pointed out to the Commonwealth Government, but as the war vessels in the Pacific are entirely dependent on coal from Westport the matter is obviously one in which the help of New Zealand is necessary, and it is suggested the, whole matter should be dealt with between the Governments of New Zealand and Australia. Considerable reserves of coal are a vital necessity for the Far Eastern Fleet, which will comprise coal-burning vetsels for, at any rate, fifteen years. Attention is directed to the Imperial importance of the Westport Coal Company's mines at Westport and Granity. At present the only coal in New Zealand and Australia suitable for the, Far Eastern Fleet is that provided by mixing the product of ,these two mines.

COST OF UPKEEP. The percentage of financial contributions to the upkeep of the British Navy, based on the mean of populations and the values of oversea trade, are set down as follows:—r United Kingdom .«..»..«..,. 74.12 Australia ....„.„-..w*_ 7.4 New Zealand .............-..., 2.02 Canada South Africa 3.82 Since Australia and New Zealand •would have no part of the expense of the Atlantic defence, it is suggested their share in the Pacific should he more. The proportions of the cost of pro- ; vision and maintenance of the Far Eastern Fleet, it is therefore suggested, should be approximately:— Great Britain , 75 per cent. | Australia _,., 20 per cent. New Zealand 5 per cent.On this basis contributions would amount to £19,637,700 years, distributed as follows: ! £, Britain .....w........ 14,728,275 Australia ........>..,.*.. : 3,827,540 ": New Zealand «... 981,885 HARBOR DEFENCES. New Zealand's requirements in vessels! for harbor defence purposes are:— Eight old destroyers, or "P" boats (whereof four would be in full commission and the remainder in reserve). Eighteen mine-sweepers, of the trawler, type (Whereof two' would be for instructional purposes and the remainder assumed to be fishing trawlers). Four boom defence vessels, to be in reserve. It is recommended that old destroyers should be acquired by 1923. Britain could probably supply them. New Zealand's purposes would be best served by vessels of the light cruiser type,! destroyers, submarines, and a small aircraft force. The unit under these conditions should comprise one light cruiser, two destroy l ers, and two" submarines. The first necessity is the provision of three light cruisers, six submarines, and one submarine parent ship to complete the three units. The next provision, therefore, should be six destroyers. These "units" are-fit for service in a striking force or, alternatively, may be .used for direct defence of trade. >. ! SHIPS FROM GREAT BRITAIN! j .' It is suggested that the ships and the personnel for thp New Zealand Division should be lent by the United Kingdom to the New Zealand Government, commencing in the year 1920 with a coalburning light {cruiser carrying 6-inch gun armament, the rither vessels being added gradually till the Division reaches its complete strength about the middle of 1926. * As the vessels become obsolete they should be replaced at the cost of the New Zealand Government. Meanwhile New Zealand should start to train officers and men for service. The administration of the New Zealand Division should be controlled by an officer, to be known as the Chief of the Naval Staff of the New Zealand Naval Board, who should'. be appointed as soon as the first light cruiser is detailed. COST OF MAINTENANCE. The annual cost of the post-war maintenance is estimated as follows: Light cruiser of the Cassandra type; Complement 344, pay £40,500, separation allowance £BOOO, victualling £37,500, repairs, fuel, and stores £78,000, pension liabilities £14,000, depreciation £33,300; total per ship £211,300. Submarine of the L class: Complement 39„pay £B2OO, allowance £ISOO, victualling £2500, repairs, etc., £IO,OOO, pensions £IOOO, depreciation £10,000; total £33,200. Submarine parent ship of the Platypus type* Complement 143, pay £21,800, allowance £4200, victualling £10,600, repairs, etc., £13,300, pensions £3300, depreciation £5300; total £58,500. i Naval air school: Complement 40, pay £10,500, allowance £ISOO, victualling £2500, repairs, etc., £IOOO, pensions £IOOO, depreciation £16,500; total £33,000, ' ■ The total annual cost till 1926 is estimated at 1920-21 £357,100, 1921-22 £590,050, 1922-23 £694,000, 1923-24 £979,300, 1924-25, £1,072,800, 1925-26 £1,166,100. . . The Government have received an additional report which is of a confidential nature. EMPIRE'S SEA SUPREMACY IMPERATIVE. Discussing the value of capital ships in modern warfare, Lord Jellicoe says that millions of tons of cargo, and, in time of war, men and stores also, are carried in ships, and until some other means of carrying tlicse over or under the ocean have actually materialised, it is imperative for the British. Empire to obtain the command of the surface of the sea. SITUATION AS TO CAPITAL SHIPS. A capital ship is the strongest form of engine of war whioh exists for operating on the seas. On the completion of the battleship Hood this year, Britain will have no capital ships in course of building. Since the Hood was laid down, Japan had laid down four battleships of the Kfiga class. As the effective life of a capital ship is limited, 'unless some special steps are taken by Great Britain, India, and the Dominions, the situation as regards such ships will be unsatisfactory in a few years time, when the older Dreadnoughts are obsolete. CAPITAL SHIPS OF GREAT POWERS. A comparative table of the capital ships of the Great Powers, built 'and building, shows that Great Britain has one super-dreadnought over 30,000 tons, 28 under 30,000 tons, and 10 dreadnoughts, plus four' second.class battle cruisers. The latter include the H.M S New Zealand and H.M.A.S. Australia. Tiie United States has 23 super-dread-noughts over 30,000 tons, four under 30,000, and 8 dreadnoughts. Japan has 8 supers over 30,000, four under 30,000, and one dreadnought, plus three powerful cruisers, which are inferior to the four British above mentioned. France has 12 supers under 30,w0 tons, and four dreadnoughts. Italy has four supers over 30,000 tons and five dreadnoughts. [Note.-Super-dreadnoughts are those" carrying turret guns of a larger calibre than 12-inch.] NAVAL BOARD'S DUTIES. j The duties ot members of the Naval Board will be: The Minister will have the general direction of all business on questions of policy and finance The tl fl w* 6 Val Staff wiU BU P<*vise the fighting and sea-going efficiency of the *ew Zealand Division, the operations of war, and all the. staff. The business of the personnel, material, and finance control will thus be olaced in the hands.

of the civil authority responsible to Paw' liament, and the Minister may accept 0C J reject any of the,, proposals made bj £hs chief of staff. THE ADMINISTRATION. The chain of administration will follows: Under the Naval Board will be' one' chief staff officer supervising ■ the v personal, mobilisation, reserves, wireless, and hydrographic, also questions of local Naval Defences. Then .will'come on« general staff officer controlling naval intelligence, communications, transport, and trade; one superintendent of training, one superintendent of naval engineering and construction, one superintendent of stores, victualling, accounts, and • contracts, one medical officer, and a secretary and secretariat. TK3UOTSTG OF BERSONNEL. The training of the personnel will be the sameas in the Eoyal Navy. The Naval Reserve will be enlisted, under similar conditions to those of the Royal Naval Reserve, from the Dominion's mercantile marine. For recruiting purposes. New Zealand should be divided into four districts, with headquarters at Anokland, Wellington, Christemireh, and Dunedin. Ah auxiliary patrol service should also be ■ established, " '. NEED FOR DISCIPLINE. The report closes w«h a length? refer* ence to the inculcation and .mainteneawe of! discipline. ' . IMPORTAJJT SUGCESTIONS. ; ( LEGISLATION NEXT SESSION. (By Wire.—Own Correspondent) Wellington, Last Nigilt. When the Prime Minister presented the report of Admiral Viscount Jellicoe on naval defence to-day, Sir Joseph Ward said he hoped the ■ Government would not attempt to rush the country into any scheme of naval defence without giving the people time to digest the proposals made. He thought it would be proper to allow the matter to be dealt with by the new Parliament. It certainly should be' kept clear of party politics. , Mr. Massey: With the Leader of the Opposition I hope that when the elections come along this will not be considered a party question- The report and recommendations, as will be sfeen, we of the utmost importance to the whole Empire and particularly to British citizens in the South Pacific. \ think Parlia. ment must be given an opportunity this session of considering the report. Mr. Myers: Are the recommendations so urgent! Mr. Massey: I will tell you presently. I ought to say that there is a confidential report which it is not advisable to make public at present, but members,' and their constituents with them, when they have an opportunity of reading the report, will understand for themselves the very serious position in which we may be placed in years to come and it is not too soon now to begin to prepare for possibilities. .There will be no . necessity far legislation this session, I think it will be necessary to ask Parliament to agree to legislation next session, and I can only hope that then the representatives of the people will not look at the question from any party point of view, but from the point of view of the safety of the Empire and particularly of British citizens in this country.