Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1914. NEW ZEALAND AND THE ADMIRALTY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 5 May 1914, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1914. NEW ZEALAND AND THE ADMIRALTY.

WHEN the Massey Government was in opposition the rule was made that defence was not to be treated as a party question. There might be differences of opinion, naturally, but- the question was to be discussed purely from tho standpoint of what was best for the nation in general and the Dominion in particular. The then Opposition played that game fairly and squarely, and it may be safely asserted that but for the assistance given to the Government by the present Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen) the Defence Act of 1909 and'its subsequent amendments might never have reached the Statute Book. The question now arises: Is Sir Joseph Ward, Leader of the Opposition and ex-Minis-ter of Defence, plaj-ing the game in the same way ? Tiy the 1909 agreement with the Admiralty a certain number of ships, including submarines, were to be stationed in New Zealand waters. That agreement has been broken by the British Government, which, of. course, has to listen to what the Admiralty .says, and, apparently, the best the present NewZealand Government can do is to get! the Philomel as a ship on which to train men for .the navy and later on build a cruiser of its own. The Government, i in fact, contends in favour of New Zea- ; laud beginning to build a navy of its [ own : Sir Joseph Ward contends that the ' result of such a policy will be an ad- ' ditional burden too heavy for the Do- i minion to bear, and that our only hope is to pay a yearly sum to the Admiralty and let them do what they like with it. In considering the two clear-cut issues w© have to remember that before and while he was Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward attended the Imperial Defence

Conference, and in that capacity he must have been very deeply in the confidence of the Defence authorities at Home. That •confiderice lasted over a number of years, and, of course, subsisted practically up to the moment that Mr Allen took over the Defence portfolio. Then Mr Allen (the "new" Defence Minister, be it noted) went Home, found what was practically -a hostile Admiralty, the 1909 agreement (made by

Sir Joseph' Ward) was broken, and so far no reason has heen vouchsafed for the breach except that the Admiralty had altered its mind. Why? Is an agreement between New Zealand and the Imperial authorities such a slight thing that it can be broken at will by the stronger side without any reason being given? If there is a reason it should at least be given to the Government, even though, for diplomatic reasons, it might not be made public. But there is no suggestion of that sort in the present case. The Admiralty simply chang-" ed its mind, and that, of course, was the end Of it. One can easily imagine the insistent Mr Allen having some livelybouts with the Home authorities, and one would very much like -to hear what Sir .Joseph Ward really has to say on this subject. Apart from misrepresenting the Government's intentions, all that he. has said is that he believes in a direct contribution, and not a local navy, but lie has used a lot of other words which lead to the impression that lie either wants to" hint at some- ; tiling which he knows but dare not say, ' or that lie has not the faculty of direct speech. It is impossible to imagine that Sir Joseph Ward could not sAied a considerable flood of light on the subject if he was. or felt himself, at liberty to '■ speak. Unfortunately, the faculty of direct speech has been denied to' Sir ' Joseph Ward. What may to him appear a clear-cut statement is merely a verbal maze, through which the seeker after a meaning has to wander until, unsuccessful, lie jumps over the nearest ob-

stacle into mental safety. It is not an unfair eminent tin the: Leader of the Opposition to say that if ho gave the public the benefit of his wide and intimate, knowledge on the subject he couhl, ami probably would, and without any trouble, leave those who listened to him as much in the dark as before they entered the hall. That is -why he will never be a really great man.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

Surely some more orderly method for the election of a School Committee can be arranged than that which lias been in operation in the city for years past. Last night's scene at the Provincial Hall was not creditable to this community—nor to any community. Xo sooner had the Chairman announced that the voting would be proceeded with than there was a mad rush to the table for voting lepers. Considering that there were close on 400 persons in the Hall, and all were trying to get their papers at the same time, the jostling and pushing of men and women may well be imagined. Very soon the narrow passage was blocked, but the pressure from the rear increased, and before long the scene was more like what might be expected at a Donnybrook Fair. Then there seemed to be no check on the voting papers issued —it is hard to see how there could be in the circumstances. As a matter of fact it is common report that some individuals voted two or three times, and openly boasted of it. That this could have been done by anyone unscrupulous enough to do it, is beyond question. On previous occasions the method of conducting this election has been severely criticised, but it is to be doubted whether the weakness of it, has ever been so strongly demonstrated" as was the case last night. It is high time that an alteration was made., and it is sincerely to be hoped that the last lias been seen of such discreditable scrambling at an election. ,