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Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1744, 19 February 1920, Page 5

Discussing Lord Jellicoe’s reports to Australia and Now Zealand, the ’Naval and Military Record says: —The Pacific problem is much too complex to be solved by armchair experts, involving ns it does so many political, naval, and military considerations. If Lord Jcllicoe was simply asked to draw up a programme of naval construction which would give reasonable security to the coasts and seaborne trade of Australasia, wo do not think that his suggestions can be justly termed excessive. In any case his responsibility ends when he has submitted his plans. It is not for him to decide whether they are practicable _ from the financial point of view. In his judgment the maritime interests of tho Empire at stake in the Far East are such as to demand within the next five years the maintenance of a powerful fleet made up of units supplied respectively by tho Royal Navy and iho Navies of Australia, Now Zealand, and Canada. Lord JolHcoc makes the very sensible suggestion that tho financial burden should be apportioned according to fhe commercial interests of the States concerned, and on this basis Australia would pay onefifth of the cost of maintenance and New Zealand one-twentieth, the balance to be paid by Croat Britain. Tt. looks as if Lord Jcllicoe is of opinion rhai the strategical centre of gravity has shifted from European waters to the Pacific Ocean.