IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13390, 5 April 1909, Page 7

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INVASION. CANADIAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN LOYALTY. United Press Asxociahoi!—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 2. As a precaution in the event of an invasion, the "War Office has arranged to secure at any time 2000 taxicabs in London, for transport of 10,000 troops to the coast. The Navy League has already arranged 31 meetings in large provincial towns. -Mr Robert Blatehford, the wellknown Socialist, editor of the leading Socialist paper, the "Clarion," publishes a strong article in that paper, advocating a powerful fleet and a perfect army. The "Pall Mall Gazette" is amazed that members of the House* of Commons should go out of their way to protest against somebody else offering to help to ensure the country's protection. OTTAWA, April 2. Several speakers in the Canadian House of Commons suggested building a shipyard largo enough to build Dreadnoughts. . PRETORIA, April 2. Mr de Villiers, Attorney-General, speaking in the Transvaal Assembly, referring to a suggestion to offer a Dreadnought to the Imperial Government, said his opinion was that the best present would be a united community. Any European race imagining thatj, in the event of a European war, they might look for help from a portion of the inhabitants of South Africa would be much mistaken. South Africa would stand as one man with the Umpire. THE FEELING IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, April 3. Mr W. M. Hughes, Federal AttorneyGeneral, replying to an attack on Mr Fisher's policy, declared that the bulk of those crying out for Dreadnoughts were doing so for no other reason than to "dish" the- Labour Party. Tlu-y were not so much afraid of an attack on Britain as an attack on monopoly. The "Herald," .in an appreciative article on tho decision to present a Dreadnought, says:—"Probably the other States will be compelled by public opinion to follow the lead of New South Wales and Victoria." The Lord Mayor has decided that the ! People's Dreadnought Fund shall go on. A CANADIAN NAVY. ADMIRALTY TO BE CONSULTED. LONDON, April 3. In pursuance of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's statement, Mr Brodeur, Minister for Marine, and two other Ministers, proceed to England after the prorogation of the Dominion Parliament, to confer with the Admiralty in regard to tho creation of a Canadian Navy. THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, April 3. Mr Deakin has sent a letter, signed bs' a number of members of Parliament, to Mr Fisher, asking him to call Parliament together at an earlier date than was intended. The Minister for Defence states that the Government is preparing to meet Parliament a month earlier than usual. A NOVEL OFFER.

(Received April sth, 12.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 5. Mr Sherwin, proprietor of iron and coal deposits, has offered the Federal Government 10,000 toa. of iron ore for use in the construction of the Commonwealth fleet.

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL'S MOTION

Tho Canterbury Trades and Labour Council met on Saturday, Mr A. D. Hart (president) in the chair. It waa resolved that the standing orders be suspended, in order to consider the following motion:—" That this Council expresses its unqualified condemnation of the unconstitutional action of Sir Joseph Ward and the Cabinet in daring to dispose of public money by the presentation of battleships to Great Britain, without the authority of Parliament or people; that we ' further endorse the action of Mr T. E. Taylor. M.P.. in placing- the true facts of the position before the British Prime Ministor." It was moved as nn amendment:— "In regard to the offer made by the Government of the Dominion, to bear the cost of a Dreadnought, this Council, while it deplores the circumstances that compel Great Britain to maintain a large and expensive Navy, recognises that it is the duty of every unit of the Empire to assist in making that Navy as strong and effective as possible, as not only is the Navy the greatest safeguard we can have, but the superiority of the Britjsh Navy is the greatest, factor in maintaininrr the pence of the world, and upon the solidarity and integrity of the nation depends our very existence." After considerable discussion the motion was carried. The President, Mr A. D. Hart, was elected to represent the Council at the public meeting on Tuesday to consider tl _ Dreadnought gift. j

A public meeting is to be held in His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow nicht to discuss the Dreadnought offer. Motions of disapproval will be submitted, and the sneakers will be Messrs T E Taylor, M.P, J. A. McCullough. A. D. Hart, and the Rev. W. A. Sinclair. (rBESS „SSOri4TIOV TELEGRAM.) INVERCARGILL. April 2. The Education Board resolved to-day " that the Board heartily congratulates the Government in demonstrating the patriotism of New Zealand in the presentation of a Dreadnought to his Majesty's Navy." ' NELSON. April 2. A warm debate took place at the meeting of the City Council to-nieht on b resolution endorsing the action of the Government in presenting a Dreadnought to the Imperial Government. The resolution was carried by seven votes to three

MR T. E. TAYLOR'S ACTION. TO TOE KD.T'IK OP '"nTE PRESS " Sir.—Mr Taylor's ill-judged and unwarrantable action in cabling to\ the Home authorities as he has done, re Sir Joseph Ward's offer of a Dread-

nought on behalf of tho people of New Zealand, places us, as a people, in a most humiliating position—a position which I for one cannot take without protest. Mr Taylor does many 111— advise! tl :ngs. but so long as it only concerns local matters there is not much harm done. It is another matter when we ar3 misrepresented to our kinsmen in England, and by one who for the time being is clothed with the appearance of authority, since what the Christchurch North electors have sown we must re.ip. I am voicing the opinion of all with whom I have come in contact when I say that it is a matter for regret that Mr Taylor has gone behind tho Premier in* this matter. Loyalty and patriotism alike should have prompted him to stand as we do together, loyally upholding the action of our Premier and the responsible heads of our Government. 1 trust that through tho medium of "The Press" cur feeling on the matter will be made knoiv.i.—Yours, etc., EBENEZER.