DOMINION FLEETS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLV, Issue 6135, 7 February 1914, Page 4

DOMINION FLEETS.

NEW ZEAL AND. MUST. HAVE HER OWN; SHIP,* F - Ai MMffintfuMttit, 'Daily Mail.' The New Zealand, the Dreadnought, presented/by the'southern Dominion to the Navy, has returned home after a, triumphant journey round the Empire. Jtverywhere. from Santiago to Sydney ffiA .*«>»; Vanppuyer, to Capetown, she : ; has been enthusiastically welcomed and everywhere regarded as a pledge of Im-' perial unity. " Even while she was completing the last miles pf her 45,000-mile voyage tlxe land that paid for her adopted a neiv naval policy which makes the gift of the Dreadnought a thing'of 'the past. New Zealand this month (Decern be)-) determined to come.into,.line.with Australia, and in place, of supporting th'e British Navy by gifts of money or ships to have a navy- of her' own. What does I this new departure portend? Is it a sign of weakening love of Empire ? Is it an, attempt, to escape responsibilities? These are questions which many interested in "the future, of our race are asking. There is one man in London at present''especially' qualified to explain the development, says '■ the writer." Mr Arthur Myers was Minister of Finance and Defence in the last New Zaland Cabinet.

"The decision of New Zealand to have a navy of her own is not a backward step but,a step forward in Imperial development," said Mr Myers. "It certainly means no slackening hi loyalty and no desire, to escape our share of the burdens of Empire. On.the contrary we are plaeing greater.burdens on our own shoulders. ii» place oi contenting ourselves with the easier and cheaper plan of sending a contribution to the British Admiralty we are making ourselves responsible for our own ships. New Zealand, in the days when its people are few, is laying aright the foundations, for the only possible permanent policy for the years ahead, half a century hence, when our population shall equal that of England herself. "When, in ISO 9, New'Zealand'offered a Dreadnought to the Empire it was on the understanding that 'the ship would form part of the China Squadron and should visit New Zealand waters every year. We anticipated the coming of a remodelled Pacific Fleet in which New Zealand, Australia and Canada should each be specifically represented—a fleet, which, would in time be strong enough to meet any demands made on it. Tliis agreement has not been carried out. I'or reasons of naval strategy which everyone knows the Admiralty resolved to centre its strength around the North Sea, and the New Zealand is to form part of a Gibraltar Squadron. The Mackenzie Government, fully concurring (recognising that the circumstances demanded it), agreed that the battle-cruiser should be placed in whatever position the Admiralty might determine.

"The effect of this on New Zealand itself is that to-day we find ourselves having to rely for naval protection on a Power which is now bound to England by a treaty ol alliance but which may become in time by a turn in events not a protection but a menace. We are not content to leave our protection in the hands of the Japanese fleet. Therefore, we have resolved to make a start in having a navy of our own, under our own control, manned by our own people, and in time, wo hope, built in our own yards.

"Wo can only make a small beginning. A nation of one million cannot start by manning Dreadnoughts. We will probably work in harmony with Australia. Naturally this new growth of dominion navies will bo carried out on a common system for the whole Empire. Just as our laud forces are trained, armed and officered after one Imperial system, making them a unit in Empire defence, so, we hope, will our navy be. There will naturally be an interchange of officers with the British Navy, our weapons and ammunition will be ot the same type, our training, drill, and discipline will be the unversal training, drill, and discipline of the Empir* ships.

"If New Zealand were likely to 'cut tlie painter,' then possibly this policy of a.navy of her own might be dangerous. But does anyone regard this possible? If so, he does not know New Zealand. People at Home must recognise that, while there is a growing desire on the part of the dominions to assume their share of the burden of Imperial defence, there is a growing feeling against placing all the responsibility, the power mid the work m the hands of the authorities in London. You can best ensure the permanent co-operation of the dominions by basing it on national sentiment. This national sentiment in New Zealand, in Australia, in Canada and elsewhere, is the very cornor-stone of Empire growth. "What is the use of a small people, a nation,of a million like New. Zealand, attempting to build a navy of her own Y you ask. New Zealand does not stand alone in the defence, of the Pacific. Australia has laid the foundations of her fleet, and Canada is bound to have her ships'. ' And it a conflict' on the '. Pacific should come, a possibility of the future which we recognise, the fleets of the three British Dominions would not stand by themselves. "The Pacific will in the future be the straining point of world peace, as the North Sea is now. It is for us members of tke Empire in the Pacific to see to it that we are prepared to meet whatever may arise. That is what we desire to do'.' Our action will help the naval position of the whole Empire." The great need of New Zealand at the present time, Mr Myers declared, is settlers of the right type. People with families who know something of country life can land in New Zealand with £SOO with every assurance for the future.