THE DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 7330, 7 June 1913, Page 1

THE DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

REPLY BY HON,. JAMES ALLEN. SYDNEY, June 4. .Referring to the guarded , statement of the Navy made by the Hou. James Allen, Minister of Finance and Defence, in an interview at Auckland the Sydney “Daily Telegraph’.’ , says that Mr Allen’s present hints seem to indicate that he favours a separate naval unit policy for Now 'Zealand. This policy was first/ propounded by the Ward Government, who subsequently virtually abandoned it. The “Telegraph” goes on to say that. New Zealand has comparatively a small population, and it is to a certain extent isolated. Whether the Dominion cun afford anything more than a mo:jquito lleet, which Mr Allen repudiates, is to say the least questionable, ami if New Zealand cannot provide and maintain anything better than a mosquito fleet, then as partner with Australia and Canada in keeping the Pacific for Britain, it will not count for much. TUR “TE LEG RAPE.” MISINFORMED ON -'TWO MAIN POINTS. ) AUCKLAND, June 4. >, j When the Sydney’ ‘‘Telegraph’s” > cabled comments were brought under the Hon. James Allen’s notice, the Minister said the Ward Government j never advanced a separate unit policy, j but suggested a direct contribution j to be made to the Imperial Government, to be expended as . the British , Admiralty thought lit. This, Mr Allen declared; Was '.a very 'different' thing from a separate .unit policy. He could not understand the reference to a “mosquito fleet.” As understood by the Government, it was.a fleet of submarines and torpedo boat destroy ors, adapted for the defence of the coast and harbours of Great Britain..