EMPIRE PATROL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16508, 25 March 1914, Page 9

EMPIRE PATROL.

BATTLESHIPS WANTED. THE POLICY OF MR CHURCHILL. By Tolegraph—Press Xssociation—Copyright. LONDON, March 23. A writer in tho "Times" says:— "The Admiralty is wedded to the policy promulgated by Mr Churchill, aud is not affected by the dominions' protest, being still hopeful that Australia, Canada and New Zealand will contribute battleships towards the formation of an Imperial fleet patrol for the Empire. " The Government does not display any inclination to convene a naval conference, because it is entirely absorbed with the Ulster crisis, whilst it is not disposed to negotiate further with tho dominions, seeing that the general election is not far ahead, and may possibly alter the position of parties." A message from Ottawa says that there is no prospect of adequate naval action until the Ministry obtains control of the Senate. AN AUSTRALIAN VIEW. SYDNEY, March 24. The "Herald," in a leading article, says that the outspoken utterances of Mr Massey must now convince Mr Churchill that his recent statement regarding the vital problem of Imperial naval defence in the Pacific has met with serious dissatisfaction both in the Commonwealth and in New Zealand, the two dominions which so far have attempted to make effective naval provision. Complete co-operation in regard to training and other matters is desirable between New Zealand and the Commonwealth with a. view to economy and effective action in war time.