HON JAMES ALLEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10768, 14 May 1913, Page 5

HON JAMES ALLEN.

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PUBLISHED AT 5 P.M.

WELCOMED AT VANCOUVER. By Telegraph—Press' Association.—Copyright, (deceived Mav 14, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 13. A Vancouver rressagc says that the Hon James Allen 1 -has arrived there, and tho Civil and Military officers, and also the Cadets, welcomed him. In an interview he declared that he was greatly impressed with his Canadian trip. HoWas questioned on New Zealand's naval policy, but declined to outline if, because he must first submit it for the New Zealand Government's approval. It is understood that a permanent policy will be drafted in conjunction with the Admiralty. Mr Allen was entertained by the Canadian Club. He appealed for Canadian assistance in the defence-of the Pacific in conjunction with Australia. As a Britisher ho would like to see a consolidated Empire, strong enough to stand without any entente cordialoj not that he undervalued the entente. Undoubtedly the North Sea and the Mediterranean were vital points of the Empire's defence, but the Pacific ought not to be disregarded. Tho Pacific was hecoming increasingly important, and ought to be protected. It is understood that Mr Allen, as the result of a confe/ence with the Admiralty, will recommend for New Zealand an adequate system of land defence, also tho formation of a mosquito fleet, which would be vutilisahle in New Zealand wafers. Whether New Zealand would later build battleships and form a local fleet on the Australian model Mr Allen refused to State.

In another interview Mv Allen said that tho British Minister's did not fully realise the new position arising in the Pacific. did not see the need of keeping the race pure and the keeping out of unfair economic competition. New Zealand was desperately anxious to preserve its tradition of freedom and its privileges, and appealed to Canada to aid therein. He said that only by such a union could anything of real benefit to the Empire be achieved. "Mr Allen, continuing, said that they must use local sentiment and local patriotism to create a great Imperial fleet, A unit might be stationed in tho Pacific hut ready to'go to the Atlantic in war time. There should be one control of Mich a fleet in war time, namely, the King's Admiralty. Each of the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand fleets should bo able to act independently, but combined they would bo able to keep the PacifiG pathway* open.

[Per Press Association-.] AUCKLAND, May 14. The return of the H 6» James Allen by the Makura, on June 3, will be celebrated by a public gathering in the Town Hall. A committee of citizens will wait on the Mayor and request his co-operation. The Prime Minister will come to Auckland to meet his colleague on the King's Birthday; which will be the occasion of a big Territorial parade. An endeavour will be made to get Mr Allen to attend in his capacity as Ministor of Defence.