SUBMARINE BASE

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 23

SUBMARINE BASE

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 19. Recently in the House of Representatives Mr Girling (the member for Wairau) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Government proposes erecting an cil fuel tank at Devonport for naval supply purposes, he will inform the House whether it is the Government’s intention to establish a naval base at Auckland, or to concentrate its naval activities on that port, and if not, whether the claims of Picton and Queen Charlotte Sound as a naval base will receive just consideration in accordance with the recommendations or views expressed by the Imperial naval officers of high standing when visiting the dominion? To-day the Prime .M y-* r replied that it was not the inter;ticu »i the Government to establish a naval iw.'■■*. at Auckland, although for several good and sufficient ‘reasons that port had been made practically the headquarters of the Chatham and the Philomel, probably on account of the fact that Auckland was the nearest port to the islands of the Pacific, and also that there was a very suitable reserve at Devonport which was used as a recreation ground for the officers and men of the ships. The Government did not propose to go further in the matter of the establishment of a naval base at present. While the House was discussing questions this afternoon Mr Girling expressed liis disappointment, that Picton had not been chosen for the base. He said that Picton was at least suitable for a submarine base. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence! said he did not think Picton would over be selected as a submarine base. Prior to the war he thought that Queen Charlotte Sound might be the best place for such a base—in fact, that it seemed to him to be the only place, but now with greater knowledge of the position he knew that the base should not be in the straits nor in Wellington. nor even in Auckland. It would have to be in the north of Auckland, possibly in the Bav of Islands, or if a suitable place could be found near the North Cape it would probably be there. The reason was that t'nev would need to anticipate the enemy that, was making for the main ports. The enemy must come from the north, and the sooner thev could get at him the better. It. would not he here in Wellington nor in Picton that enemy ships would first arrive. They would have to be met before they reached the shores of New Zealand if possible. An Hon Member: You're giving information to the enemv. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes said he did not think anything he was saying would make any difference io the enemy s tactics. Thev might even think the statement he was making now was meant to lead them astray. 0 It was not likely that the Sounds would be a base of any sort. New Zealand was not likely to have any big naval baste in New Zealand for very many years.