EMPIRE DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1933, Page 7

EMPIRE DEFENCE

“AUSTRALIA GIVES LEAD”

LORD LLOYD URGES BUILDING

TREND IN WORLD REVIEWED

‘NOT QUESTION OF RIVALRY’

SEA COMMUNICATION VITAL

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright Rec. 9.25 p.m. London, Sept. 26. Lord Lloyd, interviewed by the Sun, said: “It is most encouraging to learn of the great defence campaign. Australia has given the Imperial Parliament a badly needed lead which I hope will be followed. It is one thing to give the world an example of disarmament; it is another to persist in a policy of unilateral disarmament which will actually encourage other nations to seize the chance of augmenting their naval power at the expense of England.

“The Empire cannot watch events in the Far East and the rising hegemony of Japan in those waters without concern. The fact that America is the author of the Kellogg Pact does not blind us to the United States’ huge expansion of naval expenditure and personnel. Franco-Italian rivalry for mastery in the Mediterranean is not a matter of mere academic interest to a Power whose vital communications rtm through that sea.

“The naval requirements of other countries are in nowise comparable to Britain’s because the Empire’s sea communications are vital. England and the Dominions must be free again to build what is necessary for their own safety. It is not a question of rivalry. Let other nations build for their needs, but we must be free to do the same. “We know from the considered pronouncements of Beatty and Jellicoe that seventy cruisers are the bare minimum needed to defend 85,000 miles of sea routes. We had 120 cruisers before the war; present world commitments are far larger, yet we have only 36 non-obsolete cruisers to discharge the vast responsibilities of policing and protection.”

UNITED STATES IN HARMONY

NEED FOR PRACTICAL STEP

STRENGTHENING OWN NAVY

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. Washington, Sept. 25. Sir George Pearce’s announcement regarding the defence of Australia caused a profound impression in official Washington, which finds itself in complete hai-mony with Australia’s defence proposals. No phase of Australia’s activities is more closely watched here than the Commonwealth’s naval defence policy.

Sir George Pearce’s pronouncement synchronises with the United States’ considered judgment that the time is opportune, perhaps overdue, for the strengthening of the American naval policy, especially in the Pacific, where the whole American fleet has been retained for the past year. Australia’s action may cause a proper recognition among American people, of the vital need for practical steps to assure peace in the Pacific.

“REAL CONCERN AT CANBERRA.”

FULL AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN.

Sydney, Sept 26.

The- Sydney Morning HersM, in a leader on the defence policy, says: “That there has been real concern at Canberra is clear enough and we know that the British authorities have been in constant touch with our own Defence Department. The situation in Europe has developed from day to day along lines that have caused increasing alarm; also the position in the Pacific with the American and Japanese navies demonstrating in strength has caused thoughtful citizens to make demands for information of the Federal Government’s intentions.

“Broadly, the truth is that nothing we can do will serve to protect us from invasion in the immediate future. Sir George Pearce does not offer the plan with that in view, but we must believe that the proposals are the result of earnest thinking and sound wisdom, made complete by full agreement with the Mother Country as to the best course to pursue.”