NAVAL DEFENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 12699, 27 June 1907, Page 6

NAVAL DEFENCE.

NEW ZEALAND AND AUKERAHA.

THE PREMIER SPEAKS OCT.

[Sracisi. to the Stub.]

WELLINGTON, Jnne 26. The qroestkm. of withdrawal by the Coo* monwealfch of its* subsidy for the protection of the British■■ Navy was referred to Sir Joseph Ward when he was in Sydney Jar an expression of opinion. The New Zealand Premier declined to make any direct expression as to the wisdom of the proceeding from tho Australian point of view, bat he declared, emphatically that New Zealand bad no intention of following the.lead of the Commonwealth. On the contrary, ha said that if necessary New Zealand would doublo or more than' double her eontributian towards the cost of the alsohrtely necessary protection afforded by the Imperial Navy to this part of the British Empire. Nor would New Zealand, in return for any snch increase it might agree to make, bargain ia respect of the disposition of the fleet, or exact any right to share in its control.

Sir Joseph Ward, speaking further on the subject to your representative, said, the views which, he had put on record at tibo Oonfereooo were in accord with what he considered the best and safest course for both New Zealand and Great Britain to follow. He thought that the system now is operation should continue, with perhaps some alteration in details. It might be open .to discussion, for instance, whether we should pay our . contributions direct to the Admiralty or should pay for v providing the crews for the ships stationed oat here Whichever way it was done, we should look .upon the British Navy in all parts of the world as one, and under the direct control of the Admiralty in whatever eeas it might be stationed. So far as New Zealand was concerned, we would not' abandon oar connection with, the British, Navy in favor of tho establishment of local navies, for when

once we made a departure of that kind it would be certain to involve us in an expenditure entirely beyond the means of the State, while it bad other developmental obligations to meet New Zealand bad not at any time aaked for an alteration of the agreement, and be bad stated bo at tbs Conference. New Zealand would, in any case, have first to wait to see what course the Commonwealth decided to take. In the

event of the Commonwealth deciding to withdraw from the agreement, it would be fori New Zealand to make its own arrangements direct with the Admiralty. Questioned on the local needs, of the navy in these waters, Sir Joseph aid he bad discussed that matter with the Admiralty and with the Admiral in Sydney. The Admiralty had given him an undertaking that it would inquire into the suggestion that a coaling-station 6hould be established at Point Elizabeth, on the West Coast, and he expected that naval engineers would bo deputed to make the necessary survey?.