BRITISH NAVAL POLICY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 6, 25 August 1914, Page 4

BRITISH NAVAL POLICY.

Christchurch Press says; Rival theories as to the best policy for the Empire to pursue in regard to the Navy will be put to a practical test during the present war, and perhaps it -is too soon to dogmatise. So far, however, the policy of the Admiralty has been amply justified. They insisted on the paramount importance of overwhelming strength in the decisive ■ theatre, which, they said, was the North Sea. They asked for the transfer of H.M.S. New Zealand to Home waters to help in carrying out that policy, and we are sure that there is < not a New Zealander who does not now see the wisdom of their request, and feel thankful that it was acceded to. Even the tyro can see that the battlecruiser would have been no use in these waters, but that, being where she is, she is helping to save the Empire. We do not know where the Australia is, but we do know where she ought to be if she is to be put to. her proper use, and that is either in flic North . Sea or the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, what has been accomplished? Not only has the great German fleet been bottled up and put out of action during a most critical period of the war as effectively as if it were at the bottom of the sea, but British cruisers ,10 sweeping up German merchantmen almost as a housemaid sweeps up dead flies, and already British trade is being so freely carried on that a premium of three guineas per cent, is held to he sufficient to cover the wai risk. In a very short time, we have little doubt, it will be absolutely safe for British ships to travel freely between England and the Antipodes. We lo not know what the future may bring forth, but so far as the present war is concerned, British naval policy has been justified right up to the hilt, md the results achieved have bordered on the miraculous.