NAVAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1922, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE.

NEW ZEALAND’S HELP. NUCLEUS OF A FLEET. EXPANSION IN THE FUTURE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Premier, in a brief reference in the House to-night to New .. Zealand’s naval responsibilities, said that the policy which could be followed in future maintenance for the Empire was set out in the following memoranda from the Admiralty— The Admiralty emphasise as the first principle of naval defence that it can only be assured by sufficient, naval forces capable of offensive action and endowed with that full freedom of movement which can only be given by adequate fuelling and base facilities, and > point out the consequent, necessity of I the Empire possessing a fleet capable jof controlling the maritime communica- . tions. They outline a naval policy by which New Zealand can best assist in Empire naval defence as follows, giving various points in order of their relative importance:— (1) During the period of financial stringency the maintenance by | New Zealand of the nucleus of a seagoing squadron, which, when times are ! better, can be rapidly expanded, the exj pans ion to consist of light cruisers and I ocean-going submarines. (2) The provision of oil reserves in I New Zealand. (3) Assistance in equipping Empire ' naval bases by financial contributions, I or the supply of material manufactured ! in New Zealand. (4) Providing bases, docks, depots and reserves of stores and fuel in New Zea- ' land for vessels maintained by New ' Zealand. (5) Providing for local protection of i trade and storage of guns for merchant | ships and their escorts, and providing i trained personnel for them.

(6) Providing mobile defence organisations for ports, including mine-sweep-ing organisations.