DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume C, Issue 15304, 25 March 1914, Page 7

DEFENCE.

ADMIRALTY AND DOMINIONS. NO MOVEMENT AT PRESENT. "Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. Press Association—By TeL—Copyright. LONDON, March 23. The Admiralty is wedded to the policy promulgated by Mr Churchill, and is unaffected by the Dominions' orotests. The Admiralty is hopeful that Australia, Canada, and" New Zealand will contribute battleships towards the formation of an Imperial fleet to patrol the Empire. It does not -display any inclination to convene a naval conference, because it is entirely absorbed in the Ulster crisis, whilst also being undisposed to negotiate further with the Dominions seeing that a general election is not far ahead that may possibly alter tbe position of parties. ARMED MERCHANTMEN. STEP TOWARDS PRIVATEERING. BERLIN, March 23. German papers received the naval construction programme with, placidity, but several strongly comment on the prospects of an armed trading fleet, averring that it will bring back inter* national piracy. CANADA DOING NOTHING. OTTAWA; March 23. There is no prospect of adequate naval action being taken unto, -the Ministry obtains control of the Senate.

AUSTRALASIAN POSITION. DECLARED UNSATISFACTORY. Press Association —By Tel. —Copyright. SYDNEY, March 24. The "Sydney Morning Herald," in a leading article, says: "The outspoken utterance of Mr Massey must now convince the First Lord of tl.>> Admiralty that his recent' statement regarding the vital problem of Imperial naval defence in the Pacific 'ias caused serious dissatisfaction in both the Commonwealth and New Zealaid, the two Dominions which so far have attempted to make effective naval provision." It adds that complete co-operation in training and other matters is desirable between New Zealand and the with a view to economy and effective action in war time.