MR MYERS, M.P.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16566, 2 June 1914, Page 2

MR MYERS, M.P.

RETURN FROM ENGLAND.

THE DEFENCE QUESTION. [Per Press Association, ji AUCKLAND, June 1. Among the passengers who arrived by the It.M.S. Niagara, from Vancouver, was Mr A. M. Myers, M.P., who has been on a visit to England. To an interviewer Mr Myers expressed surprise at the numerous invitations received to various public functions at which he was called upon to speak in England. The Empire Parliamentary Association did everything possible to make his visit a pleasant and interesting one. Turning to the question of defence, Mr Myers said this important question had never been, and be hoped would not be treated as a party question, therefore be had spoken his own conviction with every freedom, as sound defence and national security should be the first plank in every political creed. His views were that, having regard to the present situation -—the unexpected developments in the North Sea and other European waters having presumably influenced the Admiralty to deviate from the original terms agreed upon at the 1909 Conference—there was every justification for a reconsideration of the whole position. As an outpost of the Empire in the Pacific Ocean, which in future was likely to be the main theatre of international rivalry, the tirao, had arrived for New Zealand to prepare, commencing obviously in a small way, for such a contingency. Tho building of navies for the dominions, properly manned and trained and organised in proportion to population and wealth, he ventured to assert, would assist in creating a naval and national spirit, end irrespective of its defensive Value cive tho ideal of a united Empire fresh impetus.