The Press. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1909. THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13379, 22 March 1909, Page 6

The Press. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1909. THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Onr cable messages this morning enow that publio feeling in. England is. regard to the naval crisis is growing in intensity. Tho "Sjwxrtator" declares that England has been living in a naval "fools' paradise." The most amazing feature in the situation is the fact that tho British Government should have been so slow in taking note of the feverish activity of Germany, not only in constructing Dreadnoughts, but in extending dockyards and harbour accommodation. The public will ask with Admiral Penrose FitzGerald, what the Naval Intelligence Department has been doing to allow Germany to get such a start, while the British Government was apparently kept in the dark. It is possible, however, that it may be found, on enquiry, that the information was duly secured and forwarded by the Naval Intelligence Department, but that it was "pigeon-holed" for political reasons, as was similar information about the warlike preparations of the Boers before the South African war. It is significant that the greatest efforts are being concentrated on Willielmshafon, the most convenient port from which to launch an attack against England. Berlin papers now state that the work is being carried on night and day, and that in a ferw months it will supersede Kiel. Tho drawback connected with the latter port is that the canal -which connects it with the North Sea is at present hardly large enough for the passage of Dreadnoughts, but steps are being taken to widen it, at a coot of ten millions sterling. In the meantime all the Dreadnoughts and Invincibles under construction will be stationed at WiUielm&haien.

The feeling that England has been caught napping has naturally led to a good deal of excitement Great Britain, and there is some danger ket it should degenerate into & panic, which would bo undignified, and possibly mischievous. For some reasons we think it is a pity that a political iesuo should have been raised by Mr Balfoar giving notice of a motion of censure on the Government, on the ground that the ixnme-

diate provision of battleships of the newest type proposed by tho Government is insufficient to secure the safety o: the Empire. "When the national defence is considered, we should prefer to ccc all party differences laid aeide, and both sides of the House agreeing in • the determination that whatever it may cost, England's -mastery of the sea shall be assured,- Nevertheless, -we fully admit that if -the Government does not realise the necessities of the case, and refuses to make the provision which is required, it is the duty of the Opposition to adopt the strongest means in its power to compel tho Government to do its duty. That Ministers are now alive, at any rate, to the political importance of the crisis which has arisen is evident from the fact that a Cabinet meeting lasting two and a half hours ha 3 been held to discuss the naval question. "We hope that when it comes again before the House the Prime Minister and the First Lord of the Admiralty will bo a bio to allay the furore that has arisen by making it clear beyond doubt that whatever Germany does in the matter of naval construction, England will take the necessary steps to safeguard her position as Mistress of the Seas. There is no need to be blustering or aggressive, nor, on the other hand, should the nation give way to hysterical panic. A spirit of stern, quiet, determination, is what is required to avert the peril with which the nation is threatened. Meanwhile the colonies must do their parts. The people of this Dominion are entitled to know what our own Government propose to do. Will Sir Joseph Ward give the new Parliament the opportunity of taking the great question of national service into serious consideration; and will he undertake that in the event of a national emergency arising this part of tho Empire -will shoulder its fair share of the added burden which will be thrust on the Mother Land? Unless ho is able to give us positive assurarces on this point, we hope that tho people of New Zealand, by means of public meetings and in other ways, will show the Government clearly that they do not wish to stand idly by while the Empire is being menaced.