THE BRITISH NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 36, 10 February 1906, Page 7

THE BRITISH NAVY.

i . PROPOSED REDUCTION OF EXPI.NDITURE. MR SEDDON PROTESTS. {By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Speaking in response to the toast of "Parliament" art the banquet to Sir J. Ward last evening, the Premier said the cabled information that it was intended to reduce the Naval Estimates had caused him a little anxiety, as it must have caused his hearers, and he hoped the cable was incorrect. Every well-wisher of tbe Empire would agree that it would be a retrograde step. "We are interested in that question," said the Premier, "as much as the people of the Mother Country. The people of the self-governing colonies would say, 'Don't touch the navy. Increase its power. It will require to be more powerful to meet the altered conditions.'" (Applause.) Owing to uncontrollable circumstances, the conference of Prime Ministers of self-governing colonies was, the Premier explained, not held this year. Had it been he'd he was sure the representatives of the colonies would have urged the necessity for increasing, not reducing, the strength of the navy. ''As the conference ha-s not taken place," added the Premier, "in my humble capacity as leading citizen of this colony to-day. I take the opportunity to ask. in the name of the people of this colony, that nething be done in this respect unless and until after the conference has been held. If more assistance is required from the colonies to strengthen the navy, I voice your views, and the views of the people of New Zealand, when I say that we will cheerfully contribute rather than that the situation should be weakened." (Applause.) The Premier went on to say that the British navy pave the first naval lessons to Japan. That the Japanese had been apt pupils the late war had proved. "But you must have read with some diffidence," he said, "the irony of fate that we are to send, on. behaif of the British Empire, our officers to be educated in Japan. I must I believe that this, as many other things jwe read in the press, lacks confirmation, and that with further information there j will probably be another view of the I question." | — =