CO-OPERATION IN PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 23791, 13 April 1939, Page 4

CO-OPERATION IN PACIFIC

New Zealand And

Australia CONSIDERATION BY CONFERENCE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 12. It was reported today that one of the questions that will be discussed at the Pacific Defence Conference, which will be opened in Parliament Buildings on Friday by the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) will be the manufacture of aircraft in New Zealand and Australia and it is understood also that plans will be considered for closer co-operation between the New Zealand warships and the Australian Navy. Arising out of the last issue has been suggestion that Australia should be equipped with a dock capable of accommodating a capital ship. As is pointed out - by experts, the development of naval plans since the completion of the Singapore base, which will still constitute the first line of defence for New Zealand and Australia and the increase in long-distance flying are factors that have emphasized the need for a properly co-ordinated policy of defence in the Pacific. It is generally conceded that neither country need have any immediate fear of a properly-planned invasion by enemy forces. The main danger lies in sudden coastal raids on the main centres and this calls for proper local fortifications, a trained land force and properly equipped naval and air arms, to which end the Dominions are working. Arrivals by the Wanganella for the defence conference include MajorGeneral P. F. Mackesy (England), Colonel V. A. H. Sturdee (Australia), Sir Harry Luke, Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, representing the Government in the United Kingdom and Australia, Captain W. D. Graham (England), Wing Commander G. Jones (Australia), Commander J. Esdaile and Paymaster Captain J. B. Foley, Royal Australian Navy, and Mr N. B. Costar, of the staff of the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Australia.