EMPIRE AND NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 473, 3 April 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE AND NAVY.

AUSTRALIAN OFFER. TWO STATES PREPARED fO ACT. WILL GIVE SHIP IF COMMONWEALTH DOES NOT, Inr TEI.EOttiI'II—PRKSS ASSOCIATION—CO IT It IfillT.! Lonilor., April 1. The Secretary for War Mr. llaldanc, speaking at Kensington, was interrupted by crios of "More Dreadnoughts!" Tlio Earl of Crewe (Secretary for the Colonies), in the courso of a speech at Leicester, accusod tlio Opposition of panic-mon-gering. He denied that there had been Cabinet dissensions, and declared that the Government intended to keep ahead of Germany in shipbuilding; bnt to over-build would be a blunder, almost a crime, because if national armaments were excessive they would cause greater provocation to other countries. The Earl added that tlio Government warmly accepted tho colonies' otters of Dreadnoughts.

Mr. Herbert Samuel, Under-Secretary to tho Homo Department, speaking at Lamboth, said that everybody realised that England must outbuild foreign countries, and asserted that sho was determined to out-build them. DREAONOUCHTS OR LOCAL NAVY? CANADA CONSIDERING. PROPOSED ACTION BY PROVINCES. , London, April 1. Tlio Canadian press report that the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Now Brunswick aro considering tho project of joint contributions towards the cost of' a Dreadnought. Tho Hon. Sir J. P. Whitney, K.C., Premier of Ontario, during a speech in the Legislature, urged tho Dominion to offer one, even two, Droadnoughts, without delay.

A largo section of Canadian opinion is not satisfied with the action of tho Prime Minister (Sir Wilfrid Laufier) with regard to the naval crisis. 1

MANITOBA DEFERS TO THE CENTRAL . GOVERNMENT. (Rcc. April 3, 1.20 a.m.)

London, April 2. The Provincial Govornment of Manitoba has decided not to offer a Dreadnought to tho Navy, on tho ground that the Dominion Government is tho proper body to act.

[Sir Wilfrid Laurier statod recently that ho proferred to follow tho example of th 9 Australian Commonwealth and provide tho nucleus of a local navy. At the same time, ha said that no Britisher could be indifferent to tho prospect of a blow by Germany at Britain, and addorl that "we must bo prepared to stump the country in tho interests of the defence of the Empire."] BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OP MR. FISHER. (Rec. April 2, 10.20 p.m.) London, April 2. A meeting of tho Labour party resolved to congratulate the Labour Prime Minister of tho Commonwealth, Mr. Fisher, on declining to be a party to a panic that was cngineorod for political purposes. Tho "Morning Post," commenting on tho resolution, says tho Labourites aro smarting under tho severe castration administered at tho by-election at Croydoil (where tho Unionist majori.ty_. was increased six-fold, and where the Socialist candidate was given 886 votes ont of 20,916 polled). Tho paper adds ; that the resolution displays extraordinary ignorance of tho motives actuating tho Commonwealth Government. Australians will doubtless attach to this resolution the samo importanco as they attached to tho proBoor vapourings. PARALLEL MOVEMENTS. LOCAL SERVICES THE CENTRE OF INTEREST." (Rec. April 2, 10.40 p.m.) London, April 2. "Tho Time's" says that the programme of tho Commonwealth Prime Minister, Mr. Fisher, shows that tho Commonwealth and Canada are in line in their naval policy j also, that there l is a parallel movement in I both the Commonwealth and Canada in (favour of following New Zealand's precedent. If theso gifts are decided on, they will be welcomed with pride, and gratitude, not as detracting fronj tho burden which Britain is fully competent and determined to bear, but as proof of the desire of the oversea Dominions to uphold Britain's ro- | solve to maintain her supremacy at sea. But future interost will centre in the local naval services which Australia and Canada aro preparing to develop. "Tho Times" recalls Mr.' Balfour's speech on Mr. Harold Cox's amendment to tho Address-in-Reply in February, 1907, as a classic exposition of British Imperialism. Threo hundred and fifty members of the Blouso of Commons have signed a memorial of thanks to New Zealand for her offer of a Dreadnought. A DEFINITE OFFER AT LAST. PROMISE BY NEW SOUTH WALES AND j VICTORIA. (Rec. April 2, 10.20 p.m.) Sydney, April 2. Tlio New South Wales and Victorian Cabinets have agreed, failing an offer by tho Commonwealth Government of a Dreadnought to tho Navy, that Now South Wales and Victoria will combino to present one. London, April 2. Tho Sydney correspondent of "The Times" cables that thero seems to bo a mistake as to the supposed offer of a Dreadnought by Now South Walos and Victoria. None was made. Tho correspondent adds that tho nearest approach to such an offer is tho suggestion by New South Wales that if tho Commonwealth Government; offers a ship, Now South Walos will pay hor share. English speeches and comments were based on a Router's telegram of March 30, definitely announcing that Messrs. Wado and Murray (Premiers of Now South Wales and Victoria) had decided to offer a Dreadnought, and wero asking tho other States to cooperate. The "Daily Chroniclo" publishes a Melbourne telegram, stating that tho thanks of the Earl of Crowe (Secretary for tlio Colonics) for tho supposed offer by Australia of tho cost of a Dreadnought were premature. No such offer was made. Tlio paper adds: "Public opinion was moro divided lust week owing to tlio English Conservatives using tho crisis- for party purposes." (.Tho above London inossape was, of course sent prior to the Sydney iiiesttiße, which pounces thai a definite offer by Llio Uo SUtui Is now really made.]