The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1919. NAVAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1919. NAVAL DEFENCE.

The very comprehensive report of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Jellicoe on naval defence as it affects New Zealand, which was laid before the House on Thursday, will assuredly be studied with great interest by all the residents of the Dominion who take an interest in the vital affairs of the Empire. It is a lucid statement that might well have emanated from the First Lord of the Admiralty, for questions that might have caused controversy if improperly handled have been treated with clearness and diplomacy, thus disarming criticism and presenting the duties and obligations of the people of the Dominion in such a light as to inspire them to cheerfully assume a co-partnershSp in the Imperial Navy that will be actual and permanent. It is probable that but for the war the people ol the Dominion would never have adequately realised the real value of the British Navy to the far flung units of the Empire. Thanks to that Navy the produce of the Dominion was safely carried to markets where the high priees added to the prosperity of the producers, whereas, if there had been no outlet for our goods, the country would have suffered a severe set-back that would have caused stagnation and possibly distress. "We have learned the value of the Navy, and it is only just that the Dominion should bear its fair share in providing and maintaining the ships that are deemed essential for the defence of the Pacific by taking part in the creation of a Far Eastern Fleet to be jointly maintained by Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. There is no element of surprise in the proposals of Lord Jellicoe, which are the natural result of previous negotiations on the subject and of the experience gained in the late war. The Dominion's present contribution of £150,000 towards the British Navy is obviously a mere nominal payment, for it neither represents an insurance premium on our overseas trade nor a contribution based on the population of the country. It is a miserable pittance that is totally unworthy of the Dominion's status as a great producing country. Lord Jellicoe's scheme seeks to remove this blot by placing the percentage contribution of the Dominions to naval expenditure on a basis of population and trade—a proposal that meets the case to a nicety. Lord Jellicoe plainly states that "very considerable naval efforts are required in the future by the people of the Empire if we are to maintain that supremacy of the sea. which is, and always has been, held vital to the existence of the Empire, and which recent events have once again emphasised sc unmistakably."

<He points out, also, that, it hm

become increasingly necessary to keep sufficient naval force in various parts of the world to protect trade and destroy enemy vessels. Hence the proposal for the Far Eastern Fleet, and the scheme of contributions thereto by the Dominions. New Zealand's share of the expense is to rise by gradations from £357,000 in 1920-1 Ito £1,166,100 in 1925-6, keeping pace with the growth of the New Zealand Dovision, which will not reach its full strength till 1926. The other Dominions contribute on the same -basis as New Zealand. Certain warships are available for the Dominions now, if required, while a gift .of eight destroyers for harbor defence is assumed. The gradual building up of the Division is decidedly a prudent measure. It will be a definite part of the Naval organisation of the Empire, and be eventually manned by New Zealanders, so that in effect it will be a local navy and yet be a part of the Imperial Navy, and it is proposed to form a naval Reserve. Harbor defence and mine sweeping are not overlooked, the latter, for which trawlers should be used, giving an impetus to the fishing industry, which is urgently needed. The more the •scheme is studied the greater and more favorable impression it creates. The presence of-warships and destroyers in New Zealand waters will enable the people to realise they are getting good value for the contributions to the Navy, while a career is opened up to the. young men who are keen on entering the Naval Service. The. Dominion can well afford its share of the expense, and should be proud of the privilege to assist in the defence of the Empire and relieve the Motherland of the enormous strain which safeguarding the Dominions and their trade entails. Taking the value of our exports and imports, the maximum cost is relatively moderate, while the benefits are incalculable.