DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18087, 11 May 1922, Page 7

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

REELECTION ON DOMINIONS.

FAIR SHARE NOT BORNE.

LORD LEE'S REMINDER.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N. 7.. LONDON, May 10. Lord Lrc of Farehara, First Ivord of the Admiralty, lecturing on tho results of tho Woidiihgton Conference at the Royal Colonial Institute, said that the Versailles Treaty, while endeavouring to secure tho peace of Europe, undesignedly increased the chances of war in tho Pacific, largely in relation to Shantung, which, though ignored by Europe, was regarded in America as a question of colossal magnitude. The Washington Conference had changed inevitable war into inevitable peace.

Lord Lee deprecated suspicions of Japan, whoso statesmen, ho said, had played straight at Washington, which was evidence, that they would honourably observe the letter and spirit, of their engagements. Lord Loe went on to praise the splendid work of Sir Robert Borden. Mr. G. F. Pearce, Sir John Salmond and Mr. Sastri, who, he said, were typical of the best of their respective peoples and equalled tho best of the other delegates in ability and determination to ensure the world's peace.

Nevertheless, he regretted the attitude of the Dominions toward naval defence. He recalled tho fact that at the last Imperial Conference tho Dominions agreed that ilie maintenance of the Navy was the common concern of tie Empire and therefore the burden should bo shared in proportions which should be settled after tho Washington Conference- So far the Dominions had not assisted Britain to bear the crushing burden, with tho result that it was the British taxpayer alone that was footing the bill for the maintenance of the Navy and tho defence of the commerce, trade and liberties of the Empire, including the Dominions.

Britain was staggering along, hoping that the Dominions would open their heart* and pockets before it was too late.

.Sir James Allen, High Commissioner for New Zealand, agreed that, tho Dominions had not taken their fair share. He agreed that Australia had observed tho bargain before the war when Britain failed regarding the Pacific. He claimed that New Zealand was now bearing her full sharo.