THE DEFENCE QUESTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 35, 2 June 1914, Page 2

THE DEFENCE QUESTION.

VJEWS OF MR MYERS. XPbs Pbebb Association.] Auckland, Juno 1. Mr A. M. Myers, M.F., i* an interview on his return, in .speaking of the defence question, said this important question had never been—and lie hoped would not be—treated as a party question, therefore he had spoken his own convictions with every freedom. As sound defence and national security should be the first plank in every political creed, Ids views were that having regard bo the present situation—that is to say, the unexpected developments in the North Sea and European waters having presumably influenced the Admiralty to deviate from the original terms agreed upon at the 1909 conference- there was every justification for the reconsideration of the whole position. As an outpost of the Empire in the Pacific Ocean, which in the future was likely to he the main theatre of international rivalry, the time had arrived for New Zealand to prepare, commencing obviously in u small w >y, for such a contingency. The budding up of navies for t." > dominions, properly manned, trail*"** and organised in proportion to 0.. r population and wealth, he ventured to assert, would, assist in creating naval and national spirit, and, irrespective of its defensive value, give the ideal of a united Empire a fresh impectus.