ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14810, 30 October 1913, Page 7

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT.

"DAILY TELEGRAPH" HOSTILE. "THE TIMES""aND "MORNING ! POST" APPROVE. ] (Received October 29th. 10.50 p.m.) i LONDON, October 29. The "Daily Telegraph" applauds Nerw Zealand's courage and enterprise, but deplores on the highest ground that rervenue and men which could bo more profitably applied to national development, should thus be diverted. It blames tho Imperial Government's laissez fairo policy for Now Zealand's plunge into tho vortex of armaments. Neither Australia nor New Zealand can afford tho luxury of navies, in view of their immense liabilities to meet the devel6pment of their territories. Both under tho shadow, of a mighty fleet are given security against any pcesib'e enemy. They may spend their uttermost yet do little to get relatively more security in the Pacific, and do nothing to cement the strength of the Empire or assist in bearing the Motherland's burdens. Small navies aro always costly, .and usually inefficient. Tho "Morning Post" says England cannot quarrel with tho Antipodes launching themselves' on tho- Pacific, especially as England has failed to keep .the> pledge -.to .patrol their -The new policy is a right one for Antipodean Dominions, teaching them " the realities of life and giving strength and self-reliance. "Tho Times", says Now Zealand's past -record ia an earnest of the spirit wherein she addresses herself to tho new work. While the creation of local flotillas cannot completely provide naval security it must be an essential part of an adequate system of naval defence.