DEFENCE POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7444, 19 May 1911, Page 1

DEFENCE POLICY

A VERDICT WANTED HON. J. A. MILLAR ON DEFENCE POLICY. “I would certainly liko to hear tho voice of tho people cf this country to s&o whether they approve what wo have done ■in regard to defence," remarked tho Kon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Railways) at a luncheon in Picton yesterday. "We havo incurred a large liability in regard to the Dreadnought, and also with compulsory bgt vice. Tho people should approve in no uncertain voice if they wished to strengthen the Government's hands, otherwise thero would bo danger of slackening." Tho Minister stated that the linking up cf the Main Trunk lino would be of value from a strategic point of view. Looking over tho surface of things, it might not bo easy to see the necessity for this, but those who were in tho inner circle know that things were not always what thoy seemed, and it was no uso living in a 501150 of false security* There wero forces moving in tho world wh’ch made defence one of the most important items in tho pa]icy of the self-governing colonies. New Zealanders believed their country was worth protecting, and they could not look to the Old Country to do it for them,, seeing that had troubles of its own. It was significant that the great increase in armaments of rival countries commenced when the policy of trading within the Empire came into prominence. Outside countries realised that it was time they looked after the trade avenues which had been free to them throughout the Empire. Ninetenths cf the wars of the past had been for commercial reasons. ' Tho English people were going to hold on to their Empire, and this could only be done by showing a united front.-The keeping up of th© British naval power was of vital importance to New Zealand as an exporting country, and it was necessary. for New Zealand to bear some of the expense of that great navy. Expert opinion was that the great naval fight of* tho future would not bo in the Pacific, but nearer Home. It was Now Zealand's duty to bo able to defend itself without hampering the Mother Country at that time. He did not believe his hearers objected to the compulsory training of lads under twenty-on© years of age. It was beneficial not only from a physical point of view, but because of the discipline and' the duty owing one's, country.' They, wero doing no injustice to the youths when they .. asked them to prepare to fit themselves to hold the country their fathi®rs\and forefathers' had made for them, (Hear, hear.) ■ Great questions . would be dealt with at the Imperial . Conference during, the nest few weeks/'.questions which might bring the colonies closer , together within the ’Empire.*' ; .■ V - ‘ "• . Air 'John Duncan. M.P* Y (Wairau), stated that until the Government increased the naval subsidy,to JJIOO-000.it was so small that - 'he felt ashamed to mention it. He hnd all along ftelt that the colonies had not borne sufficient of the burden. He would never have.had the idea of giving a Dreadnought, but the gift was in his opinion well justified if viewed only on the plane of • protection to trade routes. He believed that the whole of his fellow members would be ready to back the Government in paying a higher naval contribution.