SEA SUPREMACY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 51, 7 February 1913, Page 3

SEA SUPREMACY.

NEW ZEALAND'S EXAMPLE. THE TIE THAT BINDS. LONDON, Feb. 5. Referring to the King's inspection of the battleship New Zealand' the 'Pall Mall Gazette says:——What an occasion was this! The monarch, captain, midshipmen, bluejackets, and' marines were aboard tho freewill offering of the most distant Dominion. It Avas a sign and symbol of the tether, stronger than death, binding the distant lands of the British Commomvealth. The NeAy Zealand goes to greet the South Africans, Australians, and Canadians, in the name of their NeAv Zealand brethren." CHORUS OF APPRECIATION. LONDON, Feb. 5. The newspapers are giving prominence to the King's visit to H.M.s. NeAv Zealand. A number give the subject long leaders. The 'Daily Mail' says, "The visit has deep historic significance. The vessel is a living proof that we have great allies in our kindred oA'erseas. New Zealand's example is bearing splendid fruit., but the Dominion's generosity has in noAvise diminished the need for British exertion. If there are only Jive battleships in tho 1913 programme it will not maintain the 60 per cent, margin." I The 'Morning Post' says, "New Zea- I land has set a movement in train which I bids fair to culminate in the organisation of a great Defensive League between the self-governing states of the Empire. The growth of nationality will give the sentiment of loyalty to the Empire more vigor and purpose. Experience will show the best machinery to provide for united action." The 'Express' says that the TCing's visit puts the seal on developments which have completely changed British sea power. CANADIAN NAVY DEBATE. OTTAWA, Feb. 5. Mr Thompson, continuing the naval debate in the House of Commons, said that he was disinclined to believe that tho Emrtire- was in any way endangered by Germany's' aggression. Germany and Japan has been flirting lately, and therefore the real place for the battleships was the Pacific. He ridiculed the idea that the placing of a fleet in the Pacific would bo likely to lead to separation. If the Empire w-ore, ever destroyed it would be due to the ultra-Imperialists and Jingoes. The tighter one drew the bond of Empire the more likely it was to break.