PACIFIC DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8681, 14 March 1914, Page 4

PACIFIC DEFENCE

Our venerable contemporary, the “ Sydney Morning Herald,” represents the Australian determination to go on with the policy of grappling with largo situations with small forces. Canada having, in his opinion, failed, this authority, undeterred by the consequent lessening of the small forces in sight, calls upon the British Government to most Australia and New Zealand in Naval Conference at once. After the Home Rule excitement ' Australasia must not " remain in the dark ” about the Imperial intentions. IVe agree. The Admiralty must not be blamed for not keeping to the plan of 1909. AVe agree also. Australasia is ready to supply the “nucleus” of a Pacific fleet, but must first know what the Imperial intentions are. But what can these intentions be, except concentration for North Sea defence and provision for Mediterranean patrol, with some arrangement definitely announced but indefinitely carried out, so far, at all events, for a squadron, of wide reach, with headquarters at Gibraltar—which is the present position. Now, if these duties absorb the Imperial naval energy, what will be the effect in. the Pacific of the Australasian "nucleus” ? How long will it take the “nucleus” to develop into a fleet in being superior to anything else in the Pacific? AVhat will this development cost? Can Australasia afford that cost ? Is there any guarantee of safety during the period of development ? The only possible answers to these questions are disquieting enough to make ns wonder that anybody should be found still believing that the "nucleus” policy is worth wasting ink and breath over. Admiral Sir G. King-Hall, at the Associated Chambers of Comm wee of London, said pretty much the same thing in words tender rather than sympathetic, declaring that the Commonwealth must look to the Admiralty for instruction and officers —at some present inconvenience —in the hope that Australia “ would be of much value to the Empire in the future.” He did not mention New Zealand. He was like the gentleman in the " Critic,” who did not see the Spanish fleet because the Spanish fleet was not in. sight. Now, what is the use of going on upon this line of the “nucleus”? In the light of facts, it looks even worse than it does in the dark. A large, combined, comprehensive, 00-operative Imperial policy is the only on© to fit the naval situation of the Empire as a whole. IJnfortunately, there is no one anywhere in power with eyes to discern the truth and the will and capacitate bring it about*