CONTRIBUTION TO NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1922, Page 5

CONTRIBUTION TO NAVY.

THE PREMIER 1 —-i i r By Telegraph.—Press AmfatMl Wellington, May 20. Misapprehension appears to have arisen regarding New Zealand’s oititnde on the naval contribution quaMion. Owing to a misinterpretation of cables aeut to England based upon a statement by the Minister of Defence and comment thereon purporting to represent the views of the British Admiralty, the i*pression has been created that New Zealand haa been waiting for some declaration or request from the Admiralty before increasing her naval contrfinstk*. This is quite incorrect. The subject was thoroughly discussed at the last Imperial Conference, and it was then announced that a final settlement on contributions could not be made till after the Washington Conference. Lord Lea was not present when those diseuaaioaa took place, and his speech as cabled (which started the present discussion) 9 would appear to indicate that he war unaware of the full effect of the proceedings. The Prime Minister has thought ft wise to issue a statement making th© position clear, and giving the fullest information that could be given without a breach of confidence. His statement is as follows:—“The resolution of the Imperial Conference has already been made public, in which it was stated plainly that the matter was held over

until after the Washington Conference, which by the way has not lessened the responsibility erf the British Empire except in so far as an understanding has been arrived at in respect to the Pacife. The territories of the Empire cannot be properly protected without sufficient aea power, and though the number of capital ships which each naval Power may be possessed of is limited, there is no limit to the vessels of the cruiser class below a certain tonnage. My opinion is that what each Dominion wi|l contribute 'can only be settled at an Empire* conference and then subject to ratification bv each of thp Parliaments concerned, t have stated definitely that New Zealand will do its share, and am quite confident Parliament will shoulder its responsibility. But while this should be done aa soon as possible we must have an opportunity to readjust our finances and recover to certain extent from the effects of the great war in which we play« ed no unimportant part.