NAVAL DEFENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19846, 21 May 1927, Page 7

NAVAL DEFENCE

Prime Minister Replies to Mr Holland’s Criticism HELP FOB SINGAPORE BASE. [Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 20. Replying to the Leauer of the Opposition's recent criticism of the Government’s naval defence proposals, the Prime Minister io-aay characterised the problem as a simple one. “The first question,’’ said Mr Coates, “Is whether it is necessary from the point of view either of the ±*inpire or of our own interetss in New Zealand, thx*. some form of naval defence should be provided? There can be little doubt that the answer to that question by the vast, majority of New Zealanders will be heartily in the affirmative. The drastic reductions made since the war in the forces, both naval ond military, of the British Empire, are our general attitude towarus world affairs, based upon the principle that the British Commonwealth desires nothing whatever but peare, are, 1 think, a sufficient indication of the poim of view that we take on the matter, but no thinking man can assert with any confidence, that war is impossible in the tuture, and it is a simple fact that while other nations retain their armaments, it is essential that we should do the same, if we desire tG maintain intact the Empire as it exists to-day, together with the principles and ideals upon which it is founded. Ten Shillings a Head. “If the general opinion of the country is in favour of the provision of adequate naval defence, the next question that arises is how this defence may best be facilitated? Mr Baldwin’s statement that there can bo no more valuable contribution to the defence of the Empire as a whole than assistance towards the Singapore Base is one that can well bear repetition to those Dominions that are situated in the Pacific.

“Finally, if we accept it as a fact that haval defence is a necessity for the Empire and that the immediate requirement is a naval base at Singapore, the only question remaining ij whether the assistance proposed is more than New Zealand should be called upon to bear. The expenditure on naval defence in the Unuited Kingdom is axproximately 25s a head of the population. In the Commonwealth of Australia the expenditure is over 17s a head, but in New Zealand we are not spending on this service some 8s a head, and the extra cost of the proposals now announced will increase the total cost in New Zealand to some 10s a head.’ ’

“Mr Holland raises one or two subsidiary points. He expresses regret that the proposal should have been released for publication on the eve of Anzac Day, and deprecates the effect of this announcement at a time when all should be thinking of peace. I prefer to believe that the announcement, coming as it did on Anzac Day, will serve as an indication to the Empire and to the world that we have not forgotten our common cause of 1915—that we value our partnership in the British Commonwealth no less to-day than we did at that time of crucial test, and that we intend to bear our part in maintaining that Association of British Peoples intact. No Increase on Taxation. “With reference to Mr Holland’s Anticipation that if the funds required to meet this provision are to be taken from the Consolidated Fund the loss will have to be met either by increased taxes and higher charges in connection with national services or by further wage reductions in the Public Service, it need only be said that neither of these courses will be necessary. The figures already published as to tho Dominion’s finances for the preceding year make it clear that a surplus was available for that year more than sufficient to cover the yearly contribution for the purposes of the Singapore Base, and it is confidently anticipated that the same position will arise in succeeding years.

“On only one matter am I prepared to agree with Mr Holland. It is a fact that much of the money it is proposed to offer will be expended outside New Zealand. The Government would very much have preferred that its assistance should be expended in this country, but this was entirely precluded by the requirements of the situation.”