NAVAL DEFENCE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17808, 6 July 1923, Page 9

NAVAL DEFENCE.

NEW ZEALAND'S SHARE. PROPOSED CONTRIBUTION TO NAVY. Mr W. Walton, who presided at last night's meeting of the general committee of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League, expressed approval of the naval policy in the New Zealand Government's Budget. He said that New Zealand's payment for the year ended March 31st last was £293,000. It was proposed that in the present financial year, this Dominion's sharo should be increased to £500,000. That would include working expenses and a sum not exceeding £IOO,OOO as a contribution to the cost of a naval base at Singapore. E.M.S. Chatham soon would be superseded by an oil-burning light cruiser. The Admiralty had emphasised the necessity for establishing an oil base at Devonport, Auckland harbour. That wouid be a very distinctive step in advance for New Zealand to take. The League was not a party organisation, and there was no reason why the branch should not express approval of the naval policy. It certainly' was time that New Zealand paid her fair share of the cost. He moved:— "That the Canterbury branch of the Navy League views with the utmost satisfaction the proposals of the Government with regard to naval defence. Tho increased appropriation will moan that New Zealand contributes per hoad two-thirds of the sum which Great Britain pays. A year or two ago tho proportion was one-seventh. The Navy League heartily supports the policy of contributing an equitable share of tho cost of Empire naval defence." The motion was seconded by Briga-dier-General Andrew and supported by other members, and was carried.