DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 27 September 1933, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE

AUSTRALIA GIVES LEAD WATCH ON THE FAR EAST. REASON FOR CONCERN. COMMENT BY LORD LLOYD. (United Fress Association—By Electric, Telegraph Copyright.) LONDON, Sent. 23. * Lord Lloyd, interviewed by the “Sun,” said: “It* is most encouraging to learn of the great defence campaign. Australia has given the Imperial Parliament a badly-needed lead which J. hope will bo followed. It is one thing to give the world an example of disarmament; it is another to persist in a policy unilateral disarmament which will actually encourage other nations to seize the chance ot augmenting their naval power at the expense of England. “The Empire cannot watch events in the Far East and the rising hegemony of Japan in those waters without concern. The fact that America is the author of the Kellogg Pact does not blind us to the United States’ huge expansion of naval expenditure and personnel. Franco-ltalian rivalry for mastery in the Mediterranean is not a matter of mere academic interest to a pow’er whose vital communications run through that sea. “The naval requirements of other countries are in nowise comparable to Britain’s, because tlie Empire’s sea communications are vital. England and the Dominions must be free again to build what is necessary for their own safety. It is not a question of rivalry. Let other nations build for their needs, but we must be free to do the same “We know from the considered pronouncements of Beatty and Jellicoe that 70 cruisers are the bare minimum needed to defend 85,000 miles of sea routes. We had 120 cruisers before the war; present world commitments are far larger, yet we have only 36 nonobsolete cruisers to discharge the vast responsibilities of policing and protection.”

W ASHINGTON IMPRESSED

HARMONY WITH PROPOSALS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25. Sir George Pearce’s announcement ■regarding the defence of Australia caused a profound impression in official Washington, -which finds itself in complete harmony with Australia’s defence proposals. No phase of Australia’s activities is more closely watched here than the Commonwealth’s naval defence policy. Sir George Pearce’s pronouncement synchronises with the United States considered judgment that the time, is opportune, perhaps overdue, for the, strengthening of the American naval policy, especially in the Pacific, where the whole American fleet has been .retained for the past year. Australia s action may cause a proper recognition among American people of the vital need for practical steps to assure peace in the Pacific.

LIAiSON WITH NEW ZEALAND

NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION

(By l/*-*?rapb — Vre&a Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 26 Questioned regarding a. cable published to-day suggesting negotiations were going on between the , New Zealand and "Australian 'Governments with the object of restoring a. close defence liason, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Oobbe, .said he had no information on the question. It was possible a suggestion would be made on the lines indicated, and a communication from the Commonwealth Government might be on the way. He was not at present in a position to make any comment on the cablegram, added Mr Oobbe. There had been close co-operation between the two Governments on the question of supplving ammunition to th 6 Zoaland 'Government, ond these arrangemeats were working out satisfactoiily from the? point of view of botli countries.