NAVAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1922, Page 4

NAVAL DEFENCE.

DOMINION’S SHARE OF COST STATEMENT BY PREMIER. By Telegraph.—Press AMoeiation. Wellington, May 13. When spoken to by a Press representative regarding the cabled statement 1 of Lord Lee of Fernham, concerning the allocation of the cost of the Imperial Navy, the Prime Minister referred to the speech which he made in on his return from the Empire Conference. He had quoted the resolution ol the conference supporting Empire co* operation in providing naval defence! that the methods of the expense of duc« co-operation are matters for the firm determination of the several Parliaments concerned, and that any recommendations thereon should, be deferred: until after the coming conference on disarmament. Mr. Massey at the sama time stated emphatically that New Zealand would do her duty. Referring to the matter to-day, th«L Prime Minister said that his words stRI held good. As he stated to Parliament, the apportionment of the cost would probably be a matter for consideration at the first Empire Council following the Washington Conference, but any arrangement made then would be subject to ratification by the Parliaments of the Empire. In the meantime New Zealand continues to make a contribution in the maintenance of H.M.S. Chatham and smaller. vessels, and she ia still paying off the capital cost of H.MJ3. New Zealand, and will be for some yeaxW to come.