NEW ZEALAND AND THE NAVY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19601, 28 June 1926, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND AND THE NAVY

In response to a deputation from the Navy League the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence last week stated that the question of adding a third cruiser to the New Zealand naval unit is under consideration and that Earl Jellieoe’s policy is to be completed as soon as posible. Lord Jellieoe’s policy is simply to induce the Dominions to bear their fair share of the Empire’s burden of naval defence. At the beginning of this year he urged the Dominions to increase their contributions to the Navy, pointing out that the Mother Country’s expenditure of 24/- per head of population was more than twice as great as that of any of the Dominions and suggesting that they should aim at a standard of 17/-.

Since Lord Jellieoe’s plea was issued New Zealand has undertaken the care of a second cruiser, and the Minister of Defence states that an additional sum of £lOO,OOO, as compared with last year, is to be provided for this year’s naval defence. A third cruiser would increase the Dominion’s naval vote by £225,000, and would bring the total expenditure up to the 17/per head advocated by Lord Jellicoe. New Zealand then would be doing far more than the other Dominions: indeed, her contribution would far exceed the combined efforts of Australia, Canada and South Africa.

There are probably very few New Zealanders who would object to a substantial increase in the naval contribution or would be displeased to see their own country giving the rest of the overseas Empire a very generous lead. Among the Dominions Australia and New Zealand have particular reason to ponder the question of their security, for they are far distant from the heart of the Empire and dependent upon the protection of thousands of miles of sea communications. In both these countries public opinion should bo keenly alive to the value of naval defence—it has been sufficiently demonstrated within recent memory—and should support the Government in any measures it deems necessary for adequate protection. If after consulting the Imperial authorities this year the Prime Minister asks for an increased vote for naval purposes it should he readily available. Naval defence is worth paying for.