DOMINION'S NAVY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 61, 18 April 1914, Page 9

DOMINION'S NAVY.

MR ALLEN "ENTIRELY MISLEADING." RETORT BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. WHAT NEW ZEALANBERS SHOULD KNOW. By Cable.—rrc»s Association.—Copyright. (Received April 18, 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 18. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply to Hon. Mr Allen, said that the Minister appeared to have alluded to the speech delivered by him at the Imperial Conference, also to his speech in the House of Representatives.

"At this distance, however, it is not easy to take the Minister 's remarks very seriously,'' said Sir Joseph, '' because in each instance where a point is intended: the whole text of my remarks is left out. It must, however, be self-evident-that Mr Allen cannot expect anyone to take his statement as to the cost of a local navy as being other than entirely misleading. Obviously, the" Bristol cruiser Mr Allen talks about getting can be-only a poor nucleus of a sea force. To be efficient, the first Bristol cruiser must be followed by an .enormous expenditure. At an early date he was looking forward to the annual statement in connection with the expenditure of the Australian navy. He had never taken a narrow view of the policy of the Australians. Their courage was magnificent, but he was still, confident the wisest course for New Zealand was the direct subsidy- to the British Navy. When he was in'ofiice, the British Government agreed to §e»d two vßristols, three destroyers, -arid two submarines to New Zealand. No intimation of any alteration had been made during his time. A great change had taken place since,Mr Allen's visit to England.

"It would be more important, "'coneluded Sir Joseph, : il if Mr Allen, instead of spending his time misrepresenting me, let the people of New Zealand know what transpired to bring about the vital change in the fixed policy." .