EMPIRE DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 17305, 29 March 1913, Page 6

EMPIRE DEFENCE

PRESS COMMENTS. (By Telegraph,—Frees Association.— Copyright). LONDON, March 27. The Times says that Mr Churchill’s Naval Statement will long be remembered for its bearing upon European and Imperial naval problems. In regard to the latter it stimulates local development while giving dominion recruits an opportunity of gaining experience in fleets manoeuvring on a European scale. It provides a practical flexible test of naval partnership. The Telegraph congratulates Mr Churchill on the segregation of the dominions’ ships for an Imperial patrol. - Mr Churchill indicated that lie intended engaging Britishers to construct rigid airships. The Pall Mall Gazette says the dominions and Malay States interested in the defence of the Pacific and Eastern seas will not feel that the navy’s lost mobility lias been restored by a fleet with its base at Gibraltar. The Imperial patrol must absolutely be free from any pre-occupation about the defence of narrow seas and the Mediterranean. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. VARIOUS OPINIONS. MARGIN OF SAFETY. LONDON, March 28. 1 Received March 28, 9.40 p.m. In the House of Commons, in the Naval debate, Mr A. H. Lee (U.) said that we were too often obsessed with the North Sea peril, and did not pay sufficient attention to the trade routes of the outlying Empire. We were now running a grave risk in concentrating our legions to defend the heart of the Empire. The safety of the outer marches was almost as important as the safety of the North Sea. The margin of safety was too small. Two keels to one were imperative. Mr Churchill admitted that the battleship New Zealand was included In the vessels composing the sixteen to ten standard of superiority, but the other dominions’ gifts were not Included. Lord Charles Beresford (U.) commended the arming of merchantmen, which, together, were worth more than fifteen Dreadnoughts. The real danger was not invasion, but starvation. Mr Keir Hardie (Lab.) declared that it was not playing the game fairly with Germany by omitting the colonial ships from sixty per cent, standard. COLONIAL OPINIONa LONDON, March 28. Sir G. H. Reid, Interviewed, said that he did not regard a squadron with a base at Gibraltar as a sufficient guard of the Empire. The Hon. J. Allen said that the scheme would not be satisfactory to New Zealand, or probably to Australia. Sir J. G. Ward said that the scheme was excellent, pending the possibility of a strong Pacific squadron. COLONIAL REPRESENTATIVES NOT SATISFIED. LONDON, March 28, Received March 28, 10.25 p.m. Sir G. H. Reid declared that Australia's opinion was that the Commonwealth should assume the defence of the Southern Seas. The evolution of naval defence required that similar steps should be taken In the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Far East. A serious objection to the opposite view was not to contemplate the development In the Dominions of the call of the sea, which must be confined to British ears, but listened to by the whole race, if they are to lay a sufficiently broad foundation for their future responsibilities. Mr Allen thought that the scheme had obvious advantages. The protection of the Mediterranean and the choice of Gibraltar had not satisfied him from the view point of New Zealand’s defence. Probably it would not satisfy Australia "Mr Churchill’s view that the squadron could reach the outlying portions of the Empire more quickly than any European force does not satisfy us. We do not fear a European force. That is the crux of the matter.” He believed that the facilities for training overseas officers and men would meet with a quick response. . Sir J. G. Ward thought that the Gibraltar base was excellent. No immediate danger threatened New Zealand, while the defence of the Mediterranean was as important as the defence of her own shores. An Ideal solution would be the creation of a strong Pacific squadron. Until that was within the realms of practical politics the present scheme could hardly be improved on. GERMAN CRITICISM. BERLIN, March 28. Received March 28, 11.30 p.m. The press generally regard the “naval holiday” proposal as Utopian. Some assert that It is Intended to enable the British shipyards to overtake arrears, and It would mean the closing of German yards, where there is a dearth of work.