FOR DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1940, Page 4

FOR DEFENCE

DISPOSITION OF WARSHIPS (Per Press Association—CopyrigUt*. » WELLINGTON, December 10. “I he most complete co-ordination exists between the naval ana air forces, and in every case where the presence of a raider has been suspected, or is la. own, immediate action lias been taken,” said Hon. F. Jones, referring ~r in an interview to-night to numerous inquiries which have been received s regarding tho recent loss of an overseas g ship near the coast of New Zealand. / “The thinking public will realise,” said Mr Jones, “that it is quite impossible to reply to letters, or, in a public statement, to give any details of the measure taken for the protection of shipping. It may be stated, however, that tho disposition of ships > of tho New Zealand naval forces is carefully planned, having regard to the whereabouts of the raiders, so far as they a,re known, and taking into account all of the intelligence received and the existing knowledge of the methods adopted by the raiders. “On the occasion in question, tho ships of the New Zealand naval forces were disposed precisely where it was thought they would be in the best position to intercept a raider whose presence in Australian or New Zealand waters was known, and the dispositions which were taken as soon as the raider alarm was received were such as to ensure, as far as possible, that the raider might be caught, and that, if survivors were afloat in open boats, they should be rescued speedily. As no one can calculate the movements of a raider immediately after her presence has become known as the. result of a capture, it will be appreciated that, unless very large naval and air forces are available, the chances of successful interception are bound to be slight. This applies not only to New Zealand but to all parts of the British Commonwealth. The Navy has to guard British and Allied shipping all over the world, and is endeavouring to do so with the forces at its disposal. New Zealand has a share of the warships at disposal of tho Admiralty proportionate to the Admiralty's estimate of our needs, as compared with the requirements of other parts of the British Commonwealth and of the war zones. . Every suitable craft which can possibly be pressed into service in our minesweeping and patrol work lias already been taken over, even to the detriment, in somo cases, of trade. The proportionate losses of shipping in the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea have been less than in other parts of the world. £ The public can rest assured that the naval and air operations staffs are continuously on duty, and that the War Cabinet and Chiefs of Staffs never relax their attention from tins problem.”