EGGING ON THE DOMINIONS.

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1913, Page 5

EGGING ON THE DOMINIONS.

PRIDE IN A NAVY

BETTER THAN MONEY CONTRIBUTIONS. (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 25. The " Morning Post" complains of the chaotic condition of Britain's sea defences. It points out that Australia alone was carrying out her part of the scheme whereby Austra--lia, New Zealand, and Canada were to co-operate with England in the Empire's defence in the Pacific. England had not fulfilled her promise regarding the China station, and had retained the battleship New Zealand for the defence of the North Sea.

" New Zealand alone," says the paper,"enters heartily into the policy of a central navy, but even she prefers to have her ship in her own neighbourhood.

" We are faced with the hard fact that Australia is the Dominion having most to show for its navy policy. Possibly the local navy idea is unsound from a strategic standpoint, but Australia is doing what she proposed to do with thoroughness.

" The providing of a local navy is the idea which gets the things done. Pride in the possession of a navy is an incentive which a contribution to the central fund does not supply.

" Perhaps," concludes the " Post," " we will reconcile ourselves to the idea of an Empire based, not upon centralisation, but upon an alliance for defence. The only feasible policy is co-operation in shaping a policy in the interests of all the Empire's partners. The plan of 1909 is worthy of reconsideration and readoption."