NUCLEUS NAVY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1914, Page 7

NUCLEUS NAVY

FOR NEW ZEALAND STEP IN THE BIGHT DIRECTION MA, MYERS AT VANCOUVER. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright.) VANCOUVER, 12th May. Mi 1 . A. M. Myers, member of New Zealand Parliament for Auckland East, and ex-Minister for Defence, interviewed here, stated that he was glad to recognise thai the Imperial spirit was growing in Canada equally with New Zealand. The vital question for consideration now was the defence of the Pacific ; the time for definite action had arrived. The foundations ought now to be laid for the future policing of the Pacific. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand ought to unite for this purpose. While fully recognising the Dominions' indebtedness to the British Navy, Mr. Myers said that he felt that the time had arrived when the Dominions ought to share more of the burdens of the Empire. It was unpleasant to think that New Zealand's existence depended on a friendly treaty with Japan. Mr. Myers added that the creation even of a nucleus navy at 'the present time was a step in the right direction. If the Empire ever falls apart, he said, it will be due to lack of sympathy and lack of imagination caused by lack of knowledge. Th 6 interchange of visits by the peoples' representatives throughout the Empire wae eminently desirable. SUGGESTED CONFERENCE NOTHING FURTHER HAS TRAjnSPERED. STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. (BY TBMORAPB.— PRESS ABBOCUTION.} _ AUCKLAND, 12th May. In referring to the naval question this evening, the Minister for Defence (Hon. J. Alien) stated to a reporter that nothing further had transpired lately regarding the suggested Imperial Defence Conference. No date had been named, "but the question," he said, "is one that must be settled shortly in view of the breakdown of the 1909 agreement. We must know where we are in regard to the future defence of the Pacific, and Australia more particularly must know where she is. Australia has done more than she was required to do under the 1909 agreement, and the position from her point of view, as well as that of New Zealand, is most unsatisfactory."