THE NEW NAVAL BASE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 27, 1 February 1908, Page 13

THE NEW NAVAL BASE.

Loid Tweedmoiith addressed a Libcr.il meeting at Ghelmsford on Tuesday night. His speech, which was constantly intemi'pted by -woman suffragists, was chiefly noteworthy for an important announcement in regard to the scheme, which has been so long "hung up," for providing a new naval base at Kosyth. Along the whole east' coast of England and Scotland, he observed, mo had not (i single dock capable of accommodating our battleships. The Government had accordingly decided to open a new naval establishment at Eosytu, m tlie Firth of Forth, as the most suitable and useful place available. They intended first to construct a, graving deck capable of taking our biggast ships, then a large basin and quays which would accommodate twenty-two, or, if dqub'.e banks wero provided, forty-four, warships alongsitte them. The naval base, will cover an area of fifty -six acres, it will have a depth at all tides of thirty-&ix feet, and access will bo through a lock eight hundred and filly feet long. Loid Tvceclmouth added that it was a veiy serious resolution for the Government to have arrived at, but he bslteved it waa to the advantage of the country, and he did not think that when the works were completed they r.ould involve any very increased cost on the dockyaul establishments of the country. A DISPUTE SETTLED. We are glad to be able to lecord that the intcrvt-ution of the Pie-ddent of the 13oavd of Trade in the Lancashire cottbn trade dispute has proved successful. The terms or settlement, which, were announced at Manchester on Thursdny, secure an advance of wages, tho,ugh not to the extent demanded, to the Uldluuu operatives, engaged in the fine-spiunjirtf branch of the trade. .Replying to a vots of < thanks proposed by Mr. Macara, eha v :.rim\\ oi tiie conference, and seconded by Mt. T. Ash ton, president of 1 the Operatives' Association, Mr. LloydGeorgo said that his first experience 01 a great labour difficulty in Lancashire had convinced, him that Lancashire people had an extra dose of British tcuacny, British pluck, and, perhaps, British stubbornness. It also convinced him that Lancashire people had an exceptional doseof British common-sense, and that had tiiuiuphf d over <\V. obstacles. Ho congratula- • ted tho delegates heartily on the splendid good&ensc and good feeling which bad enabled them to arrive at an exceptionally good settlement for both sides. Wo may add that the country will feel specially grateful to Mr. Lloyd-George for refusing to ; allow a grievous domestic affliction to stand in the way of his rendering prompt and effective assistance in the cause of iudustnal pcuce. OLD-AGE PENSIONS. Sir Edward Brabrook read v valuable papor on old-age pensions before tho Society of Arts on Wednesday night. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer had only two and a quarter' millions at his disposal, such a scheme as that suggested by tho Select Committee of the Commons in 1899, and costing eleven aillions, Mas not yet within the range of p^acti'&l politics. Tho Sonly practical proposal, according to the lecturer, was that put forward by Lord Avebmy, Sir Alfred Lyall, Sir Arthur Clay, Sir W. Chance, Mr. Balhvard, Mr. T. Mackay, and himself. This was both contributory and discriminatory, though in a different sense from that hitherto attributed to the latter word, for in this case- the discrimination would be exercised by the person who was to 1 be entitled to tho pension, and not by any other person, whether officer 'of Stnte, guardian of the poor, inspector of police, or anything else. Under this system any person desiring a pension wou}d pay into a State insurance fund such sums and ar such times'' as he thought fit, and the sums so paid in could be augmoited at a fixed high rate of interest,— say four per cent. The difference between this rate and that which could be earned by th&. State on the money would bo made good annually by n. Parlia.Kientary grant, and there would be, no forfeiture through lapsing of contributions. Thus every one who wanted a pension -vculd be able to obtain one of any desired amount with, substantial, but not extravagant, aid from the State. Sir Edward Brubrook added that ho was still convinced of the truth, of what he wrote in 1870, that "there is no other way of providing for old age than by thrift, be!fdenini, and forethought in youth," and 1 the proposals he had outlined went directly to encourage and stimulate these virtues.

"Greek is said to be the best language for poetry," remarked the longfoiired party. "Its special fitness," rejoined the weary editor, "probably consists in the fact that few people can read it. 1 " r""""""""" 1 """""" 1 """""""""""""""" 1 !