THAT NAVAL SUBSIDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9138, 14 July 1908, Page 4

THAT NAVAL SUBSIDY.

The free hand with which the Go- j vernment makes grants on "Imperial j grounds" is a matter that calls for criticism of n depreciatory natniv. ; The proposed vote of £IOO.OOO by , way of naval subsidy not only appears ; to be a very large sum to vote away ' for the purpose mentioned, but an ex- j penditure. in view of the deplorable j condition of our land defence, of an | entirely unjustifiable character. No doubtthis Dominion should contribute ; to some extent to the maintenance of ( the uritish Navy, and,in the years to j come, should follow the example of | Australia by establishing a navy of . her own, but in the meantime she \i primarily concerned with tlie question of land defence. Both the Govern- , ment and Leader of the Opposition favour the £IOO,OOO vote to which we ! have referred, but nothing has been said concerning encouraging rifle shooting, or a uriversal system of military training. It is beyond question that New Zealand is in a dangerously exposed position, but her loyal statesmen do, practically, nothing to minimise the danger of possibb invasion. Why should they? The advocacy <f a soun;i system of defence met-ns no increase in emoluments for the advocates, but much hard and strenuous work, a great deal of criticism and possibly temporary defeat. Why, therefore, should our -

good, honest, loyal and trua statesmen endeavour to promote the national welfare when there are the alluring battles of party 'johtics before their eyes? At tne same time we must confess that the position should be faced, and that immediately. An increase of £IOO,OOO in the annual defence vote for this country would be making -a decided step in the right direction. It is all very well for the Premier to send messages about keeping New Zealand white and to declare intense sympathy with the objects of the National Defence League, hue the electors will want to know some day why the Government has not followed up its profegsed sympathies by substantial actions.