NAVAL DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 12

NAVAL DEFENCE

With the withdrawal of Japan from the Naval Conference the whole question of limitations must be reviewed, a fact that is stronglyemphasised by the terms in which the Morning Post has launched its campaign for the strengthening of Britain's defence. This newspaper affirms that the British Fleet when sent to the Mediterranean was not equipped for war. That may be an arguable contention but there; is nothing arguable on the point that for at least a decade the whole of the naval forces of the Empire have been far from adequate for the ordinary duties of trade protection in the Seven Seas. Whatever may have been the expert judgment upon the adequacy of the British Fleet for fleet action, .within reach of home bases, it has been evident that cruiser strength has been dangerously low. It is now recognised in quarters most inclined toward limitations, that for these years the trade routes of the Empire have not been patrolled to a degree that remotely approaches the demands of war interruption. British statesmen, in pursuit of a great idea, gambled with what is nothing less than the life blood of Empire Even in the matter of the defence of Great Britain Rear-Admiral Harper made a statement that could not be answered. It was on an occasion when there was controversy as to the relative importance of the naval and the air arm. He remarked that if the air arm were relied upon, it could not long operate unless the seas were held for the transport of oil to England. It is possible that the dependence of the air arm upon sea transport for fuel led to the decision of the British Government !to start the production of petrol from coal. New Zealand's immediate interest however lies in the safety of the long leagues of ocean over which all her trade must travel. Those leagues at the moment are most indifferently protected.