NEW ZEALAND AND THE NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 7, 8 January 1908, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND AND THE NAVY.

NO CERTAINTY OF PEACE.

ADMIRALTY CONTROL TECQ BEST.

THE PREMIER'S OFFEB^

(By Telegraph.— Press Association.)

IXVERCAKGIU,, Tuesday. Admiral and Lady Fawkes were co. tertained at lunch at the Bluff to-day by the Bluff Harbour Board. Mr. J, j£ Watson, chairman of the Board, proposed the health of the guests, and eiuogised the British naval service as being the best guarantee of the continuation of peace in the Dominion. Consequently he said, the people should spare no sacti. lice in seeking to contribute to main, tain the supremacy of the navy. Admiral Fawkes, in reply, said he waj jj proud to be the first Admiral to fly the flag in the inner harbour of the Bluff. The flag had placed the present people in the Dominion, and ensured them peace and protection, enabling them to' ' make progress in a comparatively short time which was the wonder of visitors from the Old Land. He emphasised the necessity for the Empire hanging together. There was no certainty that peace would last, and it was the duty of citizens to be pfepared to guard their hearths and homes. The navy must be kept up, particularly in regard to the way in which its organisation was controlled. There were 41 New Zealanders ' and Australians in the navy, and he had received the best reports of them. Regarding the naval agreement, he was of opinion that the control was best as at present, in the hands of the Admiralty. Time might bring new developments, but the best development was the gradual training up of men from all parts of the Empire in the navy. • T], e Adinii%.l conveyed the King's personal message that His Majesty was .sorry he had been unable to visit "Australasia, In response to the toast of "The Government," the Prime Minister said i there should be no alteration in the naval agreement, as the office of the navy was to defend commerce on the highways of the seas. This country was prepared to increase the subsidy materially. It would be sound policy for the Government to say that they -would have ' a suitable ship, and would have 1000 young fellows aboard that ship. If a conjunction with the present work they were carrying out, the Government could get a suitable ship to accommodate 1000 youths, they were prepared to pay for its upkeep, and the country would endorse their action. The Government •would go further, and provide pensions for the lads after they had completed their service. . After the luncheon Admiral Fawkts proceeded direct to Queenstowh by special train.