55. Captain FABERasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to a statement by the Defence Minister of New Zealand to the effect that it is a serious question whether New Zealand should continue to pay a certain sum yearly if she has no voice in Imperial defence; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have seen what has appeared in the Press with regard to the speech referred to, but no 928 official communication has, so far as I am aware, been received. The subject is not, suitable for discussion by question and answer.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to imply that no official communication has been received with regard to this matter on which a question has just now been asked?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said so.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIt is untrue.
56. Captain FABERasked the Prime Minister if he will state whether his attention has been called to a statement by the Minister of Defence for the Commonwealth of Australia to the effect that the references made in the First Lord of the Admiralty's speech on the Navy Estimates were destructive of the basis on which the Australian Navy was organised; and if he proposes to do anything in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to this question is the same as that I have given to the previous question.