MR MYERS,M.P.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11093, 2 June 1914, Page 8

MR MYERS,M.P.

■ RETURN FROM ENGLAND. f; THE DEFENCE QUESTION. '' "'" [Per Press Assvkmation.) AUCKLAND, Juno 1. Among the, passengers who arrived by tho R.M.S. Niagara, from VaniSouver, was Mr A. M. Myers, M.P., who has been'on a visit to England. To §n interviewer Mr Myers expressed surprise at the numerous invitations, received to various public functions'at irhich he was called upon to ''speak m .England. The Empire Parliamentary Association did everything possible- to make his visit a pleasant and interesting one. Turning to the question of defence, Mr Myers said this important question had never been, and 'he hoped irould not be treated as a, party question, therefore he had spoken his own penviction with every freedom, as lound. defence and national ' security ihould be the first plank in every political creed. His viows were that, having regard to the present situation ►-the unexpected developments iu the Jfoftli Sea and other European Waters '{laving presumably influenced the Admiralty to deviate from the original terms agreed upon at the 1909 'GonferTOce —there was every justification for I reconsideration of the' whole'.position. is an outpost of tho Empire in the;Paaific Qcean, which in future was likely Jo bo the main theatre of "international Hvalry, the time had arrived 'for New JSealand' to prepare, . comm6iicihg obviously in a small way, for such a conr tingency. The building ,of navies for sho dominions, properly inahn^d ( - ami trained and organised in 'proppr'tion to population and wealth, he ventured .to jssert, would assist in creating a naval I md" national 'Spirit, and irrespective 'of ts defensive value .give th<?_, ideal,[of 9 united Empire fresh impetiis. . T "