DOMINION AND NAVY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18173, 19 August 1922, Page 8

DOMINION AND NAVY.

VIEWS OF ADMIRALTY. NUCLEUS OF SQUADRON. SUBMARINES IN FUTURE. OIL RESERVES AND BASES. {BY TELEGKAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The Prime Minister, in a reference to New Zealand's naval responsibilities in the House of Representatives to-night, said that the policy which would be followed in the future for the maintenance of the Empire was set out in the following memoranda from the Admiralty: — i The Admiralty emphasise the first principle of naval defence, namely, that it can only be assured by sufficient naval forces capable of offensive action and endowed with that full freedom of movement which can only be given by adequate fueling and base facilities. They point out the consequent necessity of the Empire possessing a fleet capable of controlling maritime communications. They outline the maval policy by which New Zealand can best assist in Empire naval defence as follows, giving the variow points in order of relative importance:— 1. During the period of financial stringency tha, maintenance by New Zealand of a nucleus of a sea-going squadron, which, when times are bettor, can be rapidly expanded, expansion to consist of light cruisers and ocean-going »übmarines. 2. Provision of oil reserves in New Zealand. 3. Assistance dn equipping Empire naval bases by a financial contribution oi the supply of material manufactured in New Zealand4. Providing bases, docks, depots, and reserves of stereo and fuel in New Zea kvnd for vessels maintained by New Zealand. 5. Providing for the local protection ol trade and the storage of guns for merchant ships and their escorts and providing trained personnel for them. 6. Providing mobile defence organisa tions for ports, including mine-sweeping organisations. The suggestions, said Mr. Massey, embodied the opinions of men competent to judge. It was not suggested that New Zealand could do it. all raider existing conditions, but it was necessary that a commencement should be made. New Zealand must do its duty. The las:, Imperial Conference had agreed that the Dominions should bear a fair share of the cost of naval defence, but. it had not fixed a basis of contribution- That point would come before the next conference. New Zealand would have to find the money herself- She could not ea;pecfc to lean upon the United Kingdom for defence. The existence of the Empire depended upon sea power. "To me our duty is perfectly clear," said Mr. Massey. " I hope the time will come when New Zealand will not be behindhand, and it is behindhand at present, in connection with naval' defence."