NAVAL DEFENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 May 1927, Page 3

NAVAL DEFENCE.

NEW ZEALAND POLICY STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER (BX TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, May 20. Replying to tbe .Leader of the Opposition's recent criticism of the Government’s naval defence proposals, the Prime Minister to-day cnaracterised the problem as a simple one. “The first question,” said Mr. Coates, “is whetner it is necessary tiom the point or view, either of the umpire or or our own interests in New Zealand, that some form of naval deience snould be provided. There can be little doubt that the answer to that question by the vast majority of New Zealanders will be heartily in the affirmative. There is no lack of appreciation in this country of the efforts of those who have devoted themselves to the cause of international peace, and that nothing that lies within our power will be wanting on our part to lurther this cause. “But no thinking man can assert with any confidence that war is impossible in the future, and it is a simple iact that, while other nations retain their armaments, it is essential that we should do the same if we desire to maintain intact the Empire as it exists to-day, together with the - principles and ideals upon which it is rounded. “if, as 1 believe to be the case, the general opinion of the country is overwhelming in favour of the provision of adequate naval defence, the next question that arises is how this defence may be best facilitated. On this subject the preponderance of competent opinion leaves no doubts. I have already referred to .the views expressed by His Majesty’s Government in Great Britain, by the British Admiralty and by the New Zealand ; Naval Board, but Mr Baldwin’s statement that there can be no more valuable contribution to the defence of the Empire , as a whole than assistance towards the Singapore base is one that can well bear repitition. “To those Dominions that are situated in the Pacific the provision of an adequate naval base for that ocean' is vital, and on this subject again I think there can be no real difference of opinion amongst those who have the interests of New Zealand at heart. “Finally, if we accept it as a fact that naval defence is a necessity for the Empire and that the immediate requirement is a naval base at Singapore, the only question remaining to be answered is whether the assistance now proposed is more than New Zealand should be called upon to bear. Oil that point I have only to refer to the fact that the expenditure on naval defence in the United Kingdom is • approximately 25s per head of the population. In the Commonwealth of Australia the expenditure is over 17s a head. In New Zealand we are now spending on' this service some 8s a head and the extra cost of the proposals now announced will increase the total cost per bead in New Zealand to 10s. “There can, I think, be no suggestion that the expenditure now proposed is more than in fairness we should contribute to the common cause or more than should prudently be invested on an insurance of our freedom and our business, and if I judge opinion in New Zealand aright, we will not be satisfied until our contribution in future bears a still more satisfactory ratio to that of the people of the United Kingdom and to Australia. “With reference to Air Holland’s anticipation that if the funds required to meet this provision are to be taken from the Consilidated Fund the loss will have to be met either by increased taxes and higher charges in connection with the national services, or by further wage reductions in the Public Service, it need only be said that neither of these courses will be necessary. The figures already published as to the Dominion’s finances for the preceding financial year make it clear that a surplus was available for that year more than sufficient to cover the. yearly contribution for the purposes of the base, and with prudent administration it is confidently anticipated that the same position will arise in succeeding years. “On only one matter am I prepared to agree with Mr Holland; it is a fact that to a considerable extent tbe money that is now proposed to offer will be expended outside New Zealand. The Government, would of course, very much have preferred that |Lts proferred assistance should be expended in this country, but this desirable object was entirely precluded by the requirements of the situation, and it. is probably uneoessary. to remind the country that it is still impossible to make omelettes without breaking eggs.”