AN AUSTRALASIAN NAVY.

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 13, 7 December 1912, Page 2

AN AUSTRALASIAN NAVY.

Shouldering Responsibility,

LORD ISLINGTON made some diplomatic remarks about naval matters at his farewell reception on Friday night. He said there were two courses open to this country in working for the maintenance of British sea power, to eicher continue its subscription to the English fleet, or to assist in maintaining a Pacific fleet—but though he could not advise on the matter he hoped that a conference of the Dominions would formulate some definite policy on the subject. It was all very diplomatic and non-committal,, but reading between the lines one guesses that Lord Islington agrees with the opinion of the Admiralty that it is wisest that the Dominions should' do their best to take control of their own spheres of interest, but New Zealand, having shown herself so averse toundertaking the formation of the nucleus of a local navy, he probably felt that it would not be tactful to give any broad hints. We in New Zealand prefer to hand over money and a Dreadnought to England rather than face the responsibility and expense of helping to develop and control an Australian-Pacific fleet.

Bixt the Admiralty has all it can manage in keeping up the standard of the fleet in Home and Mediterranean waters and distinctly encourages the Dominions to take up their share of the defence business. When the first Federal Labour Government of Australian introduced the proposals for the founding of a local navy there were plenty of fine old crusted Tories: to shriek " disloyal" at all seasons, and the more conservative papers wailed about the enmity to Empire displayed by Labour. Articles were written in English journals by ponderous old gentlemen who announced that the Australian navy proposals were a certain sign of Australia's intention to secede from the British empire. It was all nonsense, of course, and careful students of defence problems knew it—so did the leaders of English Government. The wails, jeremiads, and shrieks of " disloyalty" abruptly ceased when it became known that the English Government approved and' that admirals of the Pacific fleet were praisin o, Australia's practical patriotism.. It was rather a shock, but the wails ceased.

Now, for some reason or other, New Zealand has always refused to consider the advisability of helping the already over-burdened English nation by doing its little bit in the policing of Pacific waters'. The disinclination was probably due to " Imperialistic" politicians reflecting that such action might be construed in England as savouring of disaffection towards Empire and a consequent bar to honours. But from recent remarks by Premier Massey, it is judged that the present GovernmehV.has taken the hint and will consider the possibility of doing something for the defence of the Pacific. There is on thing, however, which may debar the Government from any immediate action, and that is that it is" pledged to a reduction of borrowing and of our National Debt. It is not possible to reduce the number of our 1.0.U/s and carry on a gunboat building programme at the same time.

The principal argument against New Zealand building warships to co-oper-ate with the Australian navy is that New Zealand can't afford to build,., that it is cheaper for her- to make a cash contribution to the Admiralty. The argument is a sound one—at present we can hardly afford to expend borrowed millions, though we did present a Dreadnought to the English navy and have yet to pay for it. But there is no reason why, in this matter of local self-defence, we should not give our support to Australia and do some--thing to build up an Australasian control in the Pacific. The objection that any New Zealand support either in: ships or money would be used without' the Dominion having a voice in it is foolish. It could easily be arranged that we should be represented on an Australasian Naval Board, and in any-

case, the idea, of New Zealand and Australia having two separate and independent navies is absurd — both countries have the same interests in the Pacific and must naturally combine to preserve them.

To refer to colonial navies as tinpot concessions to local sentiment is not argument. Navies must have a beginning, and they will grow with the growth of that same local sentiment and the feeling of pride and responsibility. The Australian fleet and the proposed Canadian fleet will not be independent navies, but auxiliaries oi the British navy, and for the British oversea dominions to undertake the guardianship of their own shores is just plain honesty, and it certainly has the sanction of the English authorities. It is to be hoped that New Zealand will do what it can to have its present naval contribution expended in developing an Australasian navy for the defence of the British possessions in the South Pacific.