NAVAL BASE

Evening Star, Issue 18332, 20 July 1923, Page 3

NAVAL BASE

AUCKLAND CLAIMS NOT FAVORED

IFhom Otm Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, July 19. “The Government does not propose to go further in the matter of tho establishment of a naval base at present, and it is not its intention, to establish a naval base at Auckland.” \ This statement was made by Mr Massey in reply to a question in the House by Mr Girling (Wairau), who asked if Picton and Queen Charlotte Sound would receive consideration if it was not tho Government’s intention to concentrate on a base at Auckland. The Prime Minister pointed out that there were, however, several good and sufficient reasons why that port had been made practically tho headquarters of the Chatham and Philomel. It was probably on account of the fact that Auckland was the nearest port to tho islands of the Pacific, and also that there was a very suitable reserve at Devonport vlitoh was used as a recreation ground for tho Cheers and men of the ships. Tho member for Wairau. in criticising this reply, drew an even more definite statement from the Minister of Defence.

Mr Girling pointed out that ho had asked whether tho claims of Picton and Queen Charlotte Sound would be considered He did not want to look' at the matter from a parochial standpoint at all, but be believed that Wellington, being the capital of Now Zealand, we should havo the base somewhere near that city. He thought that Picton was eminently suitable for a submarine base, and he trusted that the Government would not forget tho claims of Picton and Queen Charlotte Sound when going further into tho activities of a naval base. NORTH CAPE BEST.

Sir Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence) remarked that he was glad the subject hud been raised, because he wished to say that ho did 1 not think Pic ton would be selected as a submarine base. Ho admitted that, prior to the war, he was in favor of Picton, and had told the good people of that town that, in his opinion as a private member, Queen Charlotte Sound would bo a good place for a naval base. However, with greater knowledge, he was of opinion that the base should hot be in Cook Strait at all, nor in Wellington, or even in Auckland, but in North Auckland—perhaps the Bay of Islands—and if there was a' more suitable place north of that point, it would bo better to put it nearer the North Cape. “We aro nob going to wait in the Sounds or anywhere else for enemy vessels to arrive,'' continued Sir Heaton Rhodes. “Wo will meet them before they arrive, and the most suitable base for operations of this character would bo the North Capo if there is a suitable harbor there.” Mr Wilford: You are telling [them something. Sir Heaton Rhodes replied that he could not tell any enemy anything which a good tactician would not realise, and enemies might in any case think he was making this statement to mislead thorn. There was good sheltv in Queen Charlotte Sound, but there was not likely to bo any important naval base in Now Zealand such as Singapore, because it involved a fortified harbor, dry docks, and oil and coal supplies. The Prime Minister had been quite right in saying that Auckland was not suitable for a naval base. It was all right for the Philomel, Chatham, and similar small ships of the Imperial authorities.