EMPIRE'S NAVAL DEFENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16456, 18 June 1921, Page 9

EMPIRE'S NAVAL DEFENCE.

PROBLEMS FOR THE PREMIERS. ALLOCATION OF THE EXPENSE. Br To'erraph—Frees Association Copyright. ' Australian and N.Z. Cable AFBociation. (Received June 18. 10.2-5 a.m.) LONDON. June 16. Monday’s sitting of the Imperial Conference is likely to pass without important results. ~ So many details require examination that marked progress is not likely to be apparent for a day or two. Tho naval defence of the Empire will he debated warmly in the conference. Representatives of Britain have said quite plainly that she cannot unaided bear any longer the enormous expense of maintaining a navy sufficiently strong to guarantee the safety of every part of the Empire. Britain herself has been the first to recognise that the dominions should have a voice in framing foreign policy, but a strong foreign policy will be no good without a powerful navy to hack it up unless tho Empire is to be embarrassed by eternal threats of war. These points will be put before the delegates by the Imperial authorities, and will he left for the conference to decide what is to bo done. lb is considered likely that Admiral Viscount Jellicoc’s recommend at ions that Britain should pay three-quarters of the annual cost, and the dominions one-quarter will be the latest basis of the discussions. Protection of the Pacific will, of course, largely focus the Australian viewpoint. Mr Hughes says that Australia is ready to shoulder her part of tho burden. Tho other delegates are not so outspoken, although Air Moighen. the Canadian Prime Minister. stated that Canada’s financial position prohibits her embarking on any substantial naval programme at presen t. It will be pointed out at the conference that whereas Canada, South Africa and India are within comparatively easy steaming distance of the most powerful naval force drawn from the centre of Britain’s might, help could not come to Australia or Now' Zealand in an emergency in less than a month. Tf these outposts of the Empire are not to he instantly crippled L»y an unexpected outbreak of some war before relief arrives, it will he necessary to maintain in the Pacific a sufficiently strong holding force to keep off the enemy for at least four weeks. This would necessitate the provision in the Pacific of bases, docks and victualling and coaling stations at convenient points, not only to maintain a holding force but also to provide for ibo needs of the smashing force on arrival, because its first requirements would most certainly ho coal and refitting. This defence by sea must be adequate to meet all possibilities. The Commonwealth cannot provide this from her own resources any more than Britain can provide for the defence of the whole Empire. There can'' be no argument about that phase. The only room for discussion is on the allocation of the cost. No official statement is available yet. and Air Hughes and Mr Massey both refuse to discuss the matter, but it is quite certain that they will put forward their views on the Pacific problem very strongly and frankly at the proper time.

It may he taken for granted that the scheme drawn up hv Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson will he abandoned, but such parts of it as have been developed will be maintained. Thus Australia will be kept constantly ready to light, and smaller ships carrying nucleus crews will be. kept in a state of efficiency. H.IIA.S. Adelaide will he completed as soon as funds are available. As a matter of fact naval men witli whom her future was discussed deplored even the suggestion that she’should be allowed to rust at anchor in .Sydney Harbour. They regard the Adelaide as likely to be a most effective unit of the fleet and one of the most up-to-date warships of her kind.