LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2370, 28 January 1915, Page 3

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

NAVAL DEFENCE. Sir,—Many people appear to have formed the opinion that but for the presence of the Australian navy, German warships would have had the frco run of the South Pacific in the early stages of the war, and that the ports of this Dominion would bavo been liable to attack. The Imperial authorities are iiiferentially blamed; but people forget that had it not been for tho total discontinuance of the comparatively small cash contributions by Australia and New Zealand, a certain proportion of modern British ships would have been stationed in these waters. Furthermore, the Admiralty, failing the presence of the Australian navy, would undoubtedly have arranged for part of hor naval strength from the East Indies and China stations (including-fast and powerful ships such as the Swiftsure, Triumph, Minotaur,, and others) to be transferred to the Southern Pacifiv shortly after hostilities had commenced. Then, again, our valuable and generous Allies, the Japanese, were assisting by shadowing the German cruisers and their coal depots. In fact, the Japs largely helped to drive the enemy round Cape Horn to the Falklands, where. Imperial ships,, presumably based on Gibraltar, quickly accounted for the German raiders. '

This opens up another subject, the Japanese Alliance, which has recently proved of such enormous benefit to us as a nation, but is, nevertheless, regarded by many Australians and New Zealanders from a decidedly parochial point of view. It is safe to say Japan owes so much to Britain that she is not likely to risk a breach with her powerful ally by forcing herself upon Australia and New Zealand. As a seagirt country, she cannot afford to quarrel with the "Mistress of. the Seas. As for China, the chronic internal dissensions agitating that extremely unwarlike nation, coupled with its strong racial differences with Japan, should almost entirely discount the danger of aggressive co-operation and the so-called "Yellow Peril," which is so often used as a bogey argument in support of colonial navies.

The recent, strike at the Cockatoo Island shipyards by Australian Government workmen is a sign of the times. They' stipulated for treble wages for certain nrgent work which baa to be finished during the holidays. Apart from such happenings as these, the cost of construction of ships locally is immensely greater than the cost of shipbuilding in Britain by specialised experts with elaborate plant and every facility at band. Efficiency with; economy and rapidity of construction can be ensured only under such oonditions. No one can deny that the ships of H.M.A. Navy wore of great service to New Zealand while the enemy's cruisers were in the Pacific. Do not let it be forgotten, however, that Australia, as well as every part of the Empire, is in a measure indebted to our Dominion for the solid assistance given by our gift battle-oruiser in helping to maintain the North Sea blockade, which is slowly strangling the enemy, and which, more than anything else, is likely to bring this deadly conflict to a close. Already our sea-borne commerce is practically immune from molestation, as a direct result Qf this blockade, while Germany's trade is almost at a standstill. In accordance with past traditions of the Senior Service, the enemy's coast-line constitutes *our Navy's main battle-front. After conclusion of the present war, the complexion of naval affairs in the North Sea is, we trust, likely to be entirely altered. Many modern British ships will then, no doubt, be available for other waters. Why, then, should we indulge in the extravagance of local ship-building? _ Effective co-operation, at a minimum of cost, should be combined with proportionate oversea representation on an Imperial Council of Defence.

In conclusion, these remarks merely represent my own humble opinion. Tho Navy League is careful to refrain from dictating to the Overseas Dominions as to any special form of naval policy. The league is a non-political body, and is only concerned as to tho grim necessity of maintaining for the Empire as a whole the general command of the sea. Its educative work, in season and out of season, is with tho main view of broadening public opinion in that direction. —I am, etc., CECIL W. PALMER.