THE DEFENCE MINISTER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13091, 3 June 1913, Page 3

THE DEFENCE MINISTER.

HON. J. ALLEN'S RETURN

CHEERFUL

AND OPTIMISTIC

THE NAVAL PROURAM!_\IE

(Per Press Association. s

AUCKLAND, this day. The Hon. James Allen returned by the Makura. He i-. looking exceedingly well. Interviewed, Air Allen said he was cheerful and optimistic, remarking, in reply to a query, that his financial mission ivas eminently successful. He said he had returned with definite proposals to place before his colleagues regarding the naval question. Regarding the proposals, the Minister said 'I should like to take the public into my confidence, but it is essential that the Prime Minister and my fellowmembers of the Cabinet should first be acquainted with them.

"Whatever our naval policy is to be must remain with the Cabinet to say. I can say this, though, respecting the naval programme, lt is quite clear that whatever course is decided upon there need be no fear that any New Zealand quota to the navy will be put under Australian control."

Asked if there would be one fleet in Australasian waters, Mr Allen replied : "I am sorry that on this point I cannot sav anything. Tlie policy must be decided by the Cabinet; but I can assure you that if anything i.. done in this direction our quota .will be under New Zealand control in such a case, though it might, of couirse, be used in conjunction with fleet mobilisation. DEFINITE PROPOSALS.

"I have oome back with a definite proposal absolutely as- the result of consultation with the British Admiralty and Committee of Imperial Defence. Of course, it is really a Committee of Imperial Defence. I have always said, and I say it again, there is a necessity for combined 'action in the Pacific between Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. I have always said. that, and have never altered my opinion. The same opinion, I gathered on my journey through Canada, is held by a great many Canadians. "New Zealand's danger is not from Europe. In that sense no European fleet is'' likely to take the sea for this distant objective, but there are Powers that could get here without having; to deal first with Great Britain. Britain s fleet is not big enough. to split up and put into two places at one time, liiat is the problem wliich faces us. Australia is facing it. So far we have not done so." ,".'.' eit -f Questioned on the subject of the Imperial Defence Qommittee . as to " w * iet^ r New Zealand will be represented, * Mr Allen replied : "If yoii ask me if New Zealand was represented on the - Imperial Defence Committee I say no, i not directly. But I attended/ and the-com-mittee asked me questions. I told them I would suggest certain things to the Cabinet. Tho suggestions were fcolisidered to be quite satisfactory, .. and that, I am afraid, is all I can tell, you just now." ..'-..' . NO MOSQUITO ELEET. "Mosquito fleet proposed for , New Zealand !" exclaimed the- Minister, in

surprise. "I have never.jS&id New Zealand must have a mosquito fleet. I have talked about a mosquito fleet and the purposes of such a fleet, .but I assure you I have not said to , anybody in Canada or elsewhere we must have a mosquito fleet." '