DOMINION'S DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17337, 8 December 1919, Page 8

DOMINION'S DEFENCE.

REVISION OF THE SYSTEM. NO DECISIONS YET MADE. LOCAL NAVY NOT CONTEMPLATED. A detailed statement explanatory of the Government's policy toward defence by both land and sea was made by the Prime Minister last evening. Mr. Massey dealt -with particular emphasis with the proposal for a period of training in camp for youths entering upon their career as territorials, and also disposed of the allegation that the Government was in favour of the establishment of a local navy. "The matter of training in camp has not been before Cabinet in any shape or form, ' said Mr. Massey, "and Sir James Allen never intended to convey any other impression. I repeat that the matter has not been considered by Cabinet, and consequently nothing Whatsoever has been; decided. My own opinion is that the; whole defence scheme will have to be revised and readjusted, and Parliament j will 00 given an opportunity of doing so. In view of our war expense and the report of Lord Jellicoe, I believe our whole defence policy, including naval defence, must be reconstructed. It may be noted that' one of the planks of my platform was a revision of the defence system, so as to reduce the disturbance of industry. "In all our suggestions for better naval protection in the Pacific, there has never been any idea of a local navy. In accordance with Lord Jeliicca's proposals, the squadrons stationed in New Zealand and Australian waters ■will be in each case local units of the Imperial Navy. There is one ship coming here—a light cruiser which will be under New Zealand control and available to young men who desire to enter the Royal Navy, either as officers or as seamen. That ship -will take the place of the Philomel, which is out of date. The other, ships, when they come, will be supplied by the British Government and they will be under the same conditions,as other ships of the Imperial Navy. I should emphasise that we shall not be called" upon to provide ships, though we shall be expected to contribute .to the maintenance of them, especially in i the case of those ships whose head--1 quarters will be in New Zealand waters."