The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1906. THE NAVY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8674, 14 July 1906, Page 4

The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1906. THE NAVY.

It is no exaggeration to say that the attitude of the Home Government towards the Navy is exciting deep concern in the colonies. When the Bannetnnan. Administration came into powor it was careful to announce that it did not intend to revise the naval programme of ite predecessors. After the general election, which emphatically confirmed its occupancy of the Treasury Benches, its attitude began to change. Various acts, though of minor importance, soon showed that in order to gratify the popular demand for econoany the Government was prepared to reduce its naval expenditure. Subsequent events have confirmed this impression. The Estimates show a considerable decrease on those of last year, »nd show also that the Government has .thought fit to abandon the construction of certain ships which ite predecessors regarded as of the "highest importance it© tihe efficiency of the Navy. In these circumstances it is not surprising that the Admiralty's expert advisers are protesting and, by way of emphasising their protests, threaten to resign. Nor fe it to be wondered at that the Government's action has created anxiety even in the ranks of the Liberal party. Discussion of the naval estimates ha© been postponed until the Cabinet crisis ihae been settled. In the meanwhile the luneaeiaess is spreading, and is finding ,vent in. the establishment of various organisations having for their object the safeguarding of the Navy. The outcome of the debate ia awaited with intense interest in the colonies. In New Zealand in. particular the discussion will bo followed with real anxiety. During the past decade there has been a marked growth of public eentiment in this colony in favour of maintaining the strength and efficiency of tiheNavy. New Zealandere realise that not only (the safety of the Empire but the financial stability of their own. country are dependent on the retention of (Britain's naval supremacy. They will uot, we imagine, regard with equanimity any action, calculated to imperil that supremacy. Nor, we hope, will tihey sit still while the Navy is being weakened. We can imagine with ■what indignation Mr Seddon would ihave greeted the announcement that the construction of a second Dreads sought had been abandoned, and that the Government's cheeseparing policy waa driving its advisers to resignation, i iWe hare no doubt that when he had : thoroughly satisfied himself that there; ,jmus reason for a protest he would not bare hesitated to make his voice heard. ißut the fact that Mr Seddon is dead (would be no excuse for our silence if j it should be shown, that the Govern- j jnent intended to persist in a naval j policy detrimental to the interests of the j Empire. True} our contribution to the j (upkeep of the Navy is insignificant, and ; we are, therefore, not as & colony, entitled to a prominent voice in the disjbussion of naval affairs. But we could 'remedy this at one stroke by increasing | oar subsidy. In the meantime •public opinion could make itself heard, ! iand if it were only insistent enough its protests might penetrate even through &he walls of Downing Street.