BRITAIN'S NAVY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10642, 24 May 1912, Page 5

BRITAIN'S NAVY

POLICY CRITICISED BATTLESHIP "NEW ZEALAND." COVETED FOR HOME DEFENCE. (Received Last Night, 0.30 o'clock.) LONDON, May 23. The Manchester Guardian questions tthe Government's right to ask that the battleship-cruiser "ISipw Zealand" should he stationed in British waters. The cruiser was given when the naval scare was at its height, under a complete misapprehension of the facts. All ■the prophecies of ruin then made have since beci acknowledged as ridiculous. It.is a mistake once more to give the New Zealand Government the idea, that Britain's naval supremacy is endangered, and moreover, it is inconsistent, with Mr Winston Churchill's policv of encouraging the colonies •-to make' themselves responsible for stlici ■ own defence. The plain explanation seems to ho that the cruiser is ■one- of tthe finest afloat, and the Admiralty, coveting it for Home water-; {rnidged its going to New Zealand, where it is unlikely to be wanted, except for exhibition purposes. It is doubtful whether the policy of concentrating the best j.-bip-s in Home waters is not .being carried too far.. If then; were trouble in China it might not be a great inconveniencetoihaVo a first rate cruiser in Australian ujvters.