DEFENCE IN PACIFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18364, 3 April 1923, Page 6

DEFENCE IN PACIFIC.

DOMINION AND AUSTRALIA. THE CHATHAM'S VISIT. Commodore Hotham and staff officers of B.M.S. Chatham werp entertained at luncheon at Federal Parliament House in Melbourne last week by members of the Federal Cabinet. '. ' v . The Prime Minister, air. Bruce, in welcoming the guests and' proposing their health, sai dthe fact that a unit of the New Zealand Navy had been able to exercise .with the Australian Fleet was a unique move in the history of the Empire, and was a move in the right direction. He trusted that the idea, having been put into force, would be extended. It was necessary that these visits should be continued in the future. The safety 'of Australia and New Zealand lay on the sea, and not o& land. He did not think anyone doubted that the stage of great things would bo in the Pacific. It was very desirable that the two Powers in that ocean should work in the closest co-operation. They were holding a great continent, and if they did not populate it what would be their position? They must not relax their own efforts for the protection of their territory. If they did not take these steps, then they would be doing what had been shown throughout history to be the greatest incentive to war. , .'' ;: ' 4 Commodore Hotham replied that it was not for him to talk policy or discuss Dominion navies. It nad, however, been shown that it was possible for a unit of the New Zealand Navy to come to Australia and co-operato successfully with the units of the Australian Navy. Thn exercises they had just carried out at Jervis Bay had been most 'profitable, and he hoped they had been a halp 1 to Australia.