A CHANGED POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1921, Page 3

A CHANGED POLICY.

NEW ZEALAND AND THE NAVY. THE ARRIVAL OF THE CHATHAM. ; The coming of the' H.M-S. Chatham to I New Zealand—she is duo to arrive in j Auckland about 24th January—gives i material proof of a change in New Zeai land’s naval policy (Says the Wellington. Post). Although it may not have been stated officially that the advent of the ship marks the commencement of <a scheme on the lines of that laid down by Admiral Jellicoe In his report, it is generally regarded as such. In any case, the old system of direct conI tribution in cash to the British Navy ■ has ceased, and has been replaced by an I undertaking to pay for the upkeep of the Chatham. New Zealand foj many years has paid £lOO,OOO each year as its contribution to the British Navy, and has found the interest and sinking fund for the payment of the cost or H.M.6. New Zealand. The latter liability remains, but the annual contribution has ceased, and this year has been replaced on the Estimates by a vote of £260,000 for the upkeep of the Chatham. The vessel ig a gift from the Imperial Government, and her coming to New Zealand was stated 'last session to be the outcome of an agreement entered into about 1909 between the then Premier of New Zealand (Sir Joseph Ward) and the First Lord of the Admiralty. Under that arrangement the Admiralty agreed to send to the New Zealand coast two cruisers of the Bristol type, three submarines, and two destroyers. This arrangement was probably interfered with by the war, but, in any case, it was not insisted on. When the War was over the Admiralty, in the words of Mr. Massey last session, said: “You can have your ships now; if you don’t want two. you can have one.’’ The Chatham was accepted, and New Zealand agreed to pay for her upkeep. The Chatham is not to be the only warship in the Pacific. In referring to this matter last session. Mr. Massey said there would, of course, be the Australian Navy, but there would, in addition be two British ships in New Zealand waters; there would be several destroyers and several submarines; and, still more important, there would be battlecruisers. The Chatham would be a part, and only a small part, of the defence of the Pacific.

In this connection it is interesting to refer to the scheme laid down by Admiral Jellicoe. That scheme provided for 75 per cent, of the cost of the defence of the Pacific being paid by Great Britain, 20 per cent, by Australia, and 5 per cent, by New Zealand. He proposed that New Zealand should start with a light cruiser—the Chatham answers to that description—and accessories, and should work up to a strength of three light cruisers, and six submarines. The first year’s expenditure was estimated in round figures at £350,000, working up in 1925-26 to slightly over £1,000,000. Whether this scheme or some variation of it, is to he adopted will no doubt be discussed at the Imperial Conference to be held in London in June.

the arrangement under which the Chatham comes to New Zealand is that New Zealanders shall be placed on the vessel. It has been stated that the Philomel is to act as a training ship, and her men, on completion of their training, will be drafted to the Chatham, so that the latter will be final train-ing-ship as well as a cruiser.