LOCAL NAVIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8748, 2 June 1914, Page 4

LOCAL NAVIES

“JVho said a local navy?” It itthe last questioning resource of a Government floundering under the weight of ridicule and scorn. Listen to this from the “Sydney Morning Herald” of recent date: — There Is no doubt that an enthusiastic reception will be given to the Australian- fleet in New Zealand, where the new policy of Mr Massey’s Government fob the establishment OF A LOCAL NAVY OU Australian lines has been received with growing approval. It is felt by both Governments that the promised visit would do much to convine© the people of New Zealand as to the community of interest in de~ fence matters which exists between , the two Dominions, and to foster the same healthy naval sentiment in New Zealand which has been created in the Commonwealth.

The capitals in this extract are ours. They make it clear that wo are not alone in our opinion that the Government policy did at one time aim at a local navy. The “Sydney Morning Herald,” representing a. large section of public opinion in New South Wales, very decidedly thought so a fev. days ago. Why? It did not dream it Journalism south of the Line has no", yet descended so low as to rely on its imagination for its facts. Our con temporary found its fact in thn speeches of Ministers, and the articles in the Government press. Mr Alien gave the first inkling when .he .passed through Sydney on the way Home, aim the hint has been bettered since. The decided view expressed by the “Herald” is proof positive of the impression created. The Opposition press oi that country ridiculing the “local navy” idea, the speeches of Sir Joseph Ward denouncing it vehement y, and the vigorous -unceasing criticism on the Liberal platform, all of which re fleet public opinion, ought to have opened the eyes of our Sydney con temporary. But it took its cue from the other side, from Ministers am. party organs, and thought it finderstood public opinion, not knowing, ol course, how public opinion is manufactured in Tory circles here. Ministers, however, eventually-got to know t heir public opinion ; they felt the general ridicule, the widespread scorn, and the great weight of the case against them; they stood to their, guns with 'diminishing firmness; and they ended with the most ignominious scuttle in our history. Mr Aden, the “dodger” of inconvenient prospectuses', tries t< "over - their bolt, and they make frantic efforts, as they run. to get into Sir Joseph Ward’s clothes. It is not an edifying spectacle. As to the _ Australian squadron—of course it will he cordially received,, but it will find a better understanding of “defensive interests” than it left behind; an understanding which embraces all oversea ■self-governing Do-minions, instead of being confined to two. ,