NAVAL SUBSIDY BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13869, 1 October 1908, Page 6

NAVAL SUBSIDY BILL.

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND. DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. . SECOND HEADING CARRIED. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. Ix tho House of Representatives this evening Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of tho Naval Subsidy Bill, providing that during a period of 10 years commencing on May 12, 1909, a subsidy of £100,000 shall bo paid out of the Consolidated Fund to tho Imperial Government in aid of the Imperial Navy, such subsidy to supersede and annul any subsidy payable under tho Naval Defence Act, 1908, and the agreement therein contained. In moving tfio second reading Sir Joseph referred to his memorandum to tho Governor of March 16 last, which be road in tho House, and which was published in the newspapers early iu the session, and explainod that the BUI embodied tin proposals contained therein. The subsidy was not loaded with any conditions. Wo wero l doing no more than we ought in recognition of the great services of tho Imperial Navy. Mr. Massey said it was refreshing to have a -Bill beforo the House over which there was practically no difference of opinion. All recognised that we must do our fair share towards tho cost of Imperial dofonco if we wanted our commerce protected. Ho hoped a sqmdron of British warships would visit New Zealand to inspire us with a sense of the power of tho Empire. Mr. Hcrnsby felt that tho Homo Government was-not meeting us as it ought to in tho matter of a training-ship, but money payment did not suffice or absolve us from our duty of .self-defence. We required a national system of defence, with, if necessary, compulsory service. Wo ought to have a small arms and ammunition factory in New Zealand. Mr. J. Allen thought nobody would object to tliio Bill, but it was desirablo that they should inquire what tho position of the naval agreement existing hitherto was. It was well known that Australia had asked to bo freed from that agreement. If that happened the agreement would collapse altogether, and as this £100,000 was given unconditionally under the terms of tho Bill ho desired to know what would he tho position in regard to tho naval squadron at present in Australian waters. .. . • Mr. Poole said it was right that wo should show our recognition to tho Mother Country. After several other members had spoken drawing attention to tho danger of an Eastern invasion, Sii Joseph Ward replied at some length,; quoting copiously from his speeches at tho Colonial Conference to illustrate his point of view, and his attitude in regard to Imperial defence, and the part Sew Zealand should play therein. In relation to tho Australian behaviour ho said we had no right to lay down any conditions as to where tho Admiralty should send any vessels. Nobody had ever suggested tho possibility of a, foreign army invading Now Zealand. Ho would not refer to tho Far Eastern question, beyond saying this, that any white raco desiring to maintain the white race pure, and in possession of its territories in this part of tho world, required to bo watchful. There ought to be some system of national training, but he reiterated the opinion that whilst the; public should bo educated in that direction publio opinion was not ripe for anything in the direction of compulsory service. The most important matter wo had to consider was coastal defence. It was out of the question to have a navy of our own. He had suggested to tho First Lord of tho Admiralty, tho question of lending one. or two .sub-, marines, but nothing in that - respect had been done. Referring to, tho valuable cadet, system, he was of opinion that tho cadets.: ought to pass into the volunteer corps. The Bill was read a second time on the voices,.'' '".'-■" ■ ■■'"; iV