ARMAMENTS AND AREN.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 361, 21 February 1914, Page 5

ARMAMENTS AND AREN.

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL POLICY. ADMIRALTY’S BROKEN AGREEMENT.

[PRESB ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

London, Feb. 20.

The “Times” regrefs the disagreement between New Zealand and the Admiralty and the change of policy produced through the failure to provide for Pacific defence in a way to make New Zealand feel secure.

NO DISAGREEMENT.

STATEMENT BY MR. ALLEN

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Feb. 21. In reference to “The Times’ ” comments on the naval question. Mr. James in an- interview with a “Post” reporter, said “There is no disagreement between the New Zealand Government and the Admiralty. We are working in perfect harmony. When we caine to the conclusion in our arrangements with the Admiralty they were extremely good in assisting us in every way. There are some, details about handing over H.M.S. Philomel which have to be arranged, but we expect to have her.’handed over very soon. It is extremely wrong of anybody to suggest that we ar,e disagreeing on the question. We have had various opinions, but we have now come to a conclusion. We are all agreed and are working together in harmony, and I am quite sure we shall continue to do so.”

ADMIRALTY’S NEGLECT OF THE PACIFIC COMPELS SEPARATE ACTION.

“rlMB8”-“8TDNRY bun” special oablm

(Received* 21. 9. oa.m.) London, Feb; 20.

“The Times.” in a leader on New Zealand defence, states that the Dominiqn was forced to naval action through ' Britain’s failure to provide adequate defence in the Pacific; whilst sfie has also appropriated tlie. gift battleship which should have maintained Britain’s prestige in the Pacific. The article continues“ This may be sound, necessary strategy, but its effect on Imperial' interests is certain to be detrimental.”

AUSTRALIAN REJOICINGS.

A TRIFLE PREMATURE.

Sydney, Feb. 20.

Apropos of New Zealand’s note to the Admiralty on naval matters the “ Sun’s ” Melbourne correspondent says that New-Zealand has happily .and .appropriately ccine as a factor in. the Australian- Cabinet’s consideration as to what is to |)e done about Cockatoo Island dock. New Zealand hai at last began to grope her way towards a -local navy. Here then by the end of next year or early the following year will be within the South Pacific another light cruiser. Here, moreover, will be the beginnings-of what must inevitably be a rapidly developed New Zealand navy. Here, therefore, is another reason why Australia should not depart from the plans and recommendations to lay down a fourth cruiser. Australians will wish the New Zealanders the best luck in the initiation of a local navy, and await the moment when they can salute New Zealand’s cruiser. Negotiations must still be put through before the Dominion’s vessel is ordered, but now that tbe Mzssey Government has declared for a local* navy policy, it is only a matter of time’ for the two sister 'fleets to manoeuvre together in the' South Seas. Ultijhately the two naval stations will be'linked cn'e wifji the other. TJie opening of the splendid new Australian college at Jervis'Bav early next year, teems a suitable time for the, renewal of the, invitatipn to New Zealand to send bovs to Ke trafhqjl jis nayal officers. Although th£ aduSal inauguration of the Nev navy still' depends on the Im’perip.l Defence Conference early next* year, tbe main fact that Ndw Zealand has declared that she must have* modern cruisers in her voters and]will 1 see that she gets them has to be considered tu connection with the Australian shipbuilding programme..'

CONTINENTAL FLEETS.

RUSSIAN CONTRACTS WITH GERMANY.

* ' Berlin, Feb. 20. Admiral Tirpitz,' replying to criticisms, said he failed to see that there was anything unpatriptic in German firms accepting ccnttocts for the Russian navy. If Russia did not get her supllies in Germany,, she wquld get them elsewhere. Therefore, it was undesirable to promote a monopoly in another country, ifrhich he would not name. t ■ Fl/LL STEAM AHEAD. “times”-“sydney sun” special cables. (Received 21. 9. oa.m.) Berlin, > Feb. 20. In the Reichstag, Herr Erzeber ger, the mouthpiece- of the Centre Party, declared that no.agreement with England could be baped upon an abandonment'of nayal defences. He insisted upoii the im portance of the upkeep .of armaments. as a means’ of employing labour. GERMANY’S POLICY. Berlin, Feb. 20. Herr Erzeberger, ip the German naval debate, said that no agreement with England could be based on the abandonment of Germany’s naval policy. The ratio of 16 to 10 was all very fine, but England had 25 to 10. and if Russia was now throwing all her weight in to the Baltic it was the business of the German foreign policy to prevent it. BRITISH AIR FLEET. BUN” SPECIAL CABLES.

London, Feb. 20.

Colonel Seely stated that since June twenty-eight army aeroplanes had been removed from the efficient list and only one remained. The Royal Aircraft Factory was building twenty-four aeroplanes of special types. OIL FUEL FOR WARSHIPS.

London, Feb. 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Churchill stated that the cost of oil fuel for the navy had doubled since 1910. He was experimenting with cil extracted from British shale.