GUARDING TRADE ROUTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 127, 22 February 1939, Page 8

GUARDING TRADE ROUTES

Need For Strong Navy VIEWS OF WELLINGTON BUSINESS MEN Alliance With Australia Suggested The desire to accord the Government the fullest possible support in any steps. taken to protect New Zealand and the trade routes was affirmed by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last night. Several members expressed appreciation of what had been done during the last few years to strengthen the defence system of the Dominion, but questioned whether the measures adopted were adequate. A suggestion was made that New Zealand should co-operate with Australia in the provision of a navy for the Pacific. “One of the principal functions of this chamber is to facilitate and promote trade,” said Mr. G. D. Stewart. “There is probably no country in the world more dependent upon overseas trade than New Zealand, and certainly no country that is so far removed by sea from its main export market. Primary production is jirincipally for export, and practically every secondary industry is dependent in some degree upon imports of raw materials. New Zealand exports in value roughly 50 per cent, of her total production and about 80 per cent, of those exports are marketed in the United Kingdom. “It is obvious that any interference with our trade routes insofar as It threatened the transportation of our products, would create a serious position in this country and would deal a knock-out blow to commerce. The alliance of world Powers ha s altered considerably since the Great War, and this alteration is most marked in the Pacific. It is now necessa.y for the Empire to maintain a strong navy in these waters in addition to the Home Fleet. Such a navy would ensure that the trade routes, so vital to Britain’s welfare as well as our own, are kept open in time of war. While the Pacific navy was in existence, neither k Australia nor New Zealand would be at- ’ tacked by a hostile Power. Australia’s Attitude. “This country has been settled for 100 years' and during the whole of that period we have relied upon the British Navy for our security,” continued Mr. Stewart. “The contribution made by us toward the maintenance of the British fleet has been small, 'but the time has surely arrived when we must take a more active part in our own defence. Indeed, this was agreed upon at the Imperial Conference in 1937. “Mr. Chamberlain stated recently that if Britain is attacked, her forces will -be necessary for home defence, and he inferred that the colonies will have to protect themselves. Australia is alive to the necessity for improving its defences, and particularly its navy, and has embanked upon a rearmament scheme involving 170,000,000. This country is too small to maintain independently a navy sufficient to prevent attack and to protect our trade routes, but we are surely in a position to take our stand along with Australia in making an effective contribution toward the building and maintaining of a navy in the Pacific. Rear-Admiral MacKeuzie stated on November 22 that ‘Two or ■three capital ships out here would be the turning point for peace.’ A Sacrifice Worth While. " “What is the value to this community of our public works, our roads, our railways, our social security, if we do not take the necessary precautions to preserve our national security?” said Mr, Stuart. “It is surely well worth the sacrifice of capital, income and labour, to ensure that we remain, a democratic country under British rule. Our expenditure on luxuries, on social services, and on public works, reaches tens of millions of pounds annually. The value of the assets of the country is entirely dependent upon our trade routes and our defence.” Sir Charles Norwood said he felt that New Zealand could rely on outside assistance in the event of an attack, but that that assistance would' be more readily forthcoming if she provided tangible evidence that she'was doing her best not only to protect herself, but also to help Britain. “We are not producing men of the sea, and that’s a very serious matter,” added Sir Charles. Mr. M. G. C. MoCaul said one could not emphasize too strongly the importance of a defence alliance between Australia and New Zealand. He believed Australia was only waiting for a gesture from New Zealand.