THE QUESTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 99, 20 April 1914, Page 7

THE QUESTION.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S VIEWS. : Bt Eleotuio Telegraph—Copybightj [United Press Association.] Sydney, April IS. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply to Mr Alien, said the Minister appeared to ; iave alluded to a speech delivered by him at the Imperial Conference, also ■ o a speech in the House oi .Representatives. At this distance, however, it. was not easy to take the remarks very a riouslv, because in each instance where a point was intended the whole text of his remarks was left out. It a fust, however, be sell evident that Mt,Alien cannot expect anyone to take jfis statement of the cost of a local navy as being other than entirely misleading; Obviously the Bristol cruiser Mr Allen talks of getting can be only a poor nnelens of sea forces. To be efficient, the first Bristol must be followed by enormous expenditure at an early date. Ho was looking forward to the annual statement in connection with expenditure on the Australian navy. He had never taken a narrow view of the policy of Australians. Their courage was magnificent, but still lie was confident that the wisest course for New Zealand was a direct subsidy to the British Navy. When he was in office the British Government agreed to send two Bristol*, three destroyers, and two submarines •to* Now Zealand and no intimation of alteration was made during his time.. A great change had taken place since \fc AHeids.visit to England. It would be more important if Mr Allen, instead )f spending, his, time misrepresenting bim, let the people of New Zealand know what transpired to bring about he vital change in the fixed policy.