DOMINION DEFENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 September 1929, Page 2

DOMINION DEFENCE.

INCREASE JN ESTIMATES. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The discussion of the naval defence estimates in the House to-night was interspersed with references to New Zealand's control over naval

policy and Labou' - speakers suggesting that the Dominion Parliament had no opportunity of revising Imperial conference decisions and was committed to them.

Tins suggestion was flatly denied by Mr J. G. Coates, loader of the Opposition, who attended the last Imperial Conference. He pointed out that no part of the Empire was committed by its representative until the decisions had been ratified by the respective Parliaments.

The Hon. T. M. Wilford (Minister of Defence) was asked to explain why the naval estimates showed an increase this year. His answer was that this was more apparent than real. There would actually bo an increase this year owing to the necessity to spend money on improvements at the Calliope naval clock, making it more suitable for a

larger class of commercial vessel. This was an obligation to the Admiralty, which would credit the New Zealand Government with the expenditure against the cost of maintaining cruisers in New Zealand waters.

In answer Mr M. J. Savage, who urns

interested to know where the poison gas supply of the Dominion was stored, Mr Wilford explained there were only small capsules used at Devonport for training purposes. y Cutting Down on Defence.

“I would like to see the defence estimates cut down,” declared the Minister, having in mind some comment from the labour benches, "and there is no question that the tendency of the world is towards pence, not war. Many people believe and 1 do too (though I might be laughed at) that discoveries in regard to poisonous gases arc going to end war. If members could read the papers I get from the Homo Government in regard to these discoveries, they will agree that gas will make countries hesitate or refuse to go to war.” As for naval policy, the Minister declared his belief that the present English 'Labour Government -would stand up to Imperial interests as -well as any other English Government and he would bo quite satisfied, if it said New Zealand required to keep no cruisers for the defence of the Empire, to carry out its advice.