SIR JOSEPH WARD IN AUSTRALIA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 90, 18 April 1914, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD IN AUSTRALIA.

REPLY TO MR ALLEN

'(Received April 18, 11 a.m.)

SYDNEY, April 18. Sir Joseph "Ward, in reply to "Mr -Allen, said that tfre Minister appeared to have alluded to aaspee'ch delivered "by Turn at the Imperial 'Conference and also to a speech in the Hotise of Representatives. "A£ this distance, however," he said, "it is not easy to take the remarks very seriously, because, in each instance where the point was intended the ■whole text of my remarks "has been left oat. It must, however, b.e .selfevident tliat Sir Alien cannot expect anyone to take "his statement as to tfoe cost of a local -navy as "being other than entirely misleading." 'Obviously this "Bristol"' cruiser Mr Allen talk's •of getting could "be only a poor nucleus of a sea force. To bo efficient the firvt "'Bristol" must l)e followed "by enormous expenditure at an «arly date. He was looking forward to the annual statement in connection with the expenditure on the Australian navy. He had never taken a narrow view of the policy of the Australians. Their courage was miagiiifieent, but he was still confident that the wisest course for New;'.'' Zealand was a direct subsidy to the British Navy. , "When he was in office iilie British Government agreed to two "Bristols," three destroyers, .and,two submarines to be sent "to New Zealand, and no'intimation "'of an alteration -was made.during ■his. time. A great change had taken place since Mr Allen's visit' to England. It would he more important if Mir Allen, instead of spending time misrepresenting the speaker, let the people of New Zealand know what transpired to bring about %c vital change in the nxed policy. : : :-.-