NAVAL POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8734, 16 May 1914, Page 11

NAVAL POLICY

To tho Editor “ N.Z. Tqnea.”

Sir, —In your issue of the Bth inst., X read with interest your article wutli tho foregoing title. In the heat of the present controversy it is • excusable that partisans should indulge in less moderate language than at other times; but it is quite inexcusable that any statements should bo made on either side which liave, no foundation In fact, as that misleads the public, who aro frequently not able to verify the statements. .. In your remarks regarding Mr Fisher’s charge that tho “Dreadnought” was presented, by Sir Joseph Ward “ without the consent of Parliament,” you say that “anybody at all whoso memory can go back to five years ago knows perfectly well that the admissions that had been made by the Government in the House of Commons gravely and thoroughly alarmed the whole Empire.” And then you quote a waiter, who puts the matter briefly under six heads. ¥ou say about the origin of this scare of 19"“’ neither do you mention the fact that it was based upon a tissue of fabrications, tho direct result of tho machinations of tho Armament Trusts, and through yoms- neglect in this respect you leave tho public to bfclieve that the scare bad been the result of a real danger from without. As a matter or fact, the scare" was manufactured by tfireo or more great armament firms through their agent, the managing director of the Coventry ordnance works, Mr H. H. Mulliner. It Has been proved conclusively that there was no foundation for the reports submitted to Parliament by Mr Mulliner, whoso'object In ••warning” the Government was to increase the trade ot Ms firm. Is it not time, sir, that the doings of these armament trusts should be exposed, and that our politicians should be more careful before they commit us to military and, naval expenditure for which there is no need r I seo that even after all the revelations of the last’few months in connection with the doings of tho armament combines in fomenting trouble between nations, Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. James Allen still talk about possible “ invasion ” horn somewhere. Hot us kill „U tbi. Christchurch, May 12th.