NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 72, 26 March 1909, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER

BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S ACCEPTANCE. LORD CREWE'S DESPATCH. AMPLE PROVISION FOR COMING YEAR. Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, tbiough His Excellency the Governor :—: — "In further reply your telegram 22nd March desire you to express to Sir Joseph Ward and to your Go= vernment in the warmest terms the feeling of appreciation and gratitude with which His Majesty's Government have received the offer so generously and patriotically made. In view of the uncertainty that exists as to the character and extent of the demand which may be made on the national resources in the following year, the offer of the Government of New Zealand to bear within that period the tost of providing one first class battleship of the latest type and of a second of the same type should subsequent events show it to be necessary is most gratefully accepted by His Majesty's Govern* ment. Your Government will doubt' . less understand that it is impossible to enter into details by telegram, but you will icceive at an early date full communication by despatch, as His Majesty's Government desires to consult with the Government o! New Zealand as to time it may be* come appropriate to give effect to their .oublic=spirited proposal. So far as the coming financial year is concerned, the provisions and powers for which sanction is being asked in the Naval Estimates now before Par= liament afford ample security." WILL IT CHILL ENTHUSIASM? ENGLISH PKESS COMMENTS. (Received March 26, 8.20 a.m.) LONDON, 25th March. Lord Balcarres, Conservative M.P., speaking at Beckenham, Kent, said that New Zealand's offer was equivalent to £4 per inhabitant, ' yet > acceptance of it was likely to be deferred for twelve months. / The Times states that the Opposition consider that postponement of acceptance of New Zealand's offer will chill * enthusiasm and loyalty. " AFFAIRS SO GRAVE." LORD GHARLES BERESFORD HE WANTS TIME TO CONSIDER MATTERS. (Received March 26, 8.20 a.m.) >s LONDON, 25tn March. Lord Charles Beresford, just retired from command of the Channel Fleet, in an interview said: — "I consider Naval affairs so grave that I must have time to consider what my duty to the Navy and the country dictates." AGGRAVATING POLICY OF BUILDING DREADNOUGHTS. ENGLAND BLAMED. LONDON, 25th March. Mr. Carnegie and the New York Peace Society blame England for beginning the aggravating policy of building Dreadnoughts. AUSTRALIA WILLING. BUT SHE HAS NOT GREAT FINANCIAL RESOURCES. (Received March 26, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 25th March. Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Gould, president of the Commonwealth Senate, interviewed regarding the suggestion that Australia should present a Dreadnought, said that Australia was willing to do all in her power if necessity demanded it. He pointed, out, however, firstly, that Australia would object to anything m the nature of compulsory levy, and, secondly, that &ome were inclined to coufuse a subsidy with tribute ; - and, thirdly, that the Commonwealth had not great financial resources, owing to the fact that eight million of revenue was returnable to the States. A GLORIOUS LEAD. IF NATIONAL SACRIFICES ARE REQUIRED. LONDON, 25th March. Speaking at the National Liberal Club, the President of the Board of Agriculture, Earl Carrington — who is also President of the National Liberal Federation (Home Counties Division), and formerly Governor of New South Wales — said that New Zealand's offer, and the handsome donations, promised by three New South Wales residents, had given a glorious lead. If national sacrifices were required, let wealthy men set the example. All this was a contrast to the pitiful attitude of the panic-stricken Opposition. ACCEPTANCE OF NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. THE TIMES GLAD. LONDON, 25th March. The London Times declares that it is sincerely glad of the acceptance of New Zealand's patriotic offer. The same spirit that prompted it will cause the message accepting it to be read in Now Zealand as expressing the appreciation and gratitude felt in every English street and lane. It adds that there cfi^ w to^jp^^n£W^y^fchjJ)aty||hiE-

should not be laid down soon, as ar rangements can be made with Mr. Vickers, of Vickers, Son, and Maxim. Their yards are able to complete three Dreadnoughts in three years, and thereafter complete one every half-year. They are also able to manufacture and equip the artillery for seven Dreadnoughts in three years. No country's output is yet comparable- to England's. PROPOSED MEMORIAL TO SIR J. G. WARD. FROM BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIANS. LOND y ON, 25th 'March. A movement is afoot to send Sir Joseph' Ward a memorial signed by members of all parties, conveying Parliament's thanks for New Zealand's offer of a Dreadnought. CANADA STIRRED. SIR W. LAURIER THINKING. OTTAWA, 55th March. Canada >s increasingly stirred by New Zealand's and Australia's example. Sir Wilfrid Launer, Prime Minister, is considering the question of a contribution to the Navy. OPTIMISTIC STATEMENT. NO NEED TO BUY SHIPS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. LONDON, 25th March. In tho House of Commons, the Right_ Hon. Reginald M'Kenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, replying to Viscount Helmsley (Unionist), said that it was not desirable to secure the first refusal of foreign battleships now being built in England. If we wanted ships we should build for oifrselves. Our superiority in strength in 1909 and 1910 would be so great that the purchase of foreign ships by another Power could not alarm the Board of Admiralty. Mr. M'Kenna, replying to Mr. Dundas | White (Liberal), stated that the Clyde yards were capable of building six Dreadnoughts. GERMAN ESTIMATES. VOTED WITHOUT DEBATE. UNPRECEDENTED OCCURRENCE. BERLIN, 25th March. The German Navy Estimates were reported in the Reichstag for the second reading, and voted without debate, which was an unprecedented occurrence. The Socialists nave postponed all interpellation regarding Britain's pourparlers as to shipbuilding until such time as Prince Bulow (the Chancellor) defends his own estimates. ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION IN SYDNEY. A DREADNOUGHT SHOULD BE PRESENTED. SYDNEY, 25th March. The Lord Mayor presided over one of the largest and most enthusiastic demonstrations ever held in Sydney, the object being the initiating of a Dreadnought fund. The Town Hail was densely packed, and the proceedings constantly punctuated by the singing of patriotic songs. The speakers included Messrs. G. 11. Reid (an ex-Prime Minister of the Comonwealth), Joseph Cook (Federal M.H.R.), B. R. Wise (late At-torney-General of New South Wales), and Bruce Smith (Federal M..H.R.) All speeches made were strongly patriotic, and condemned the halting policy of the Commonwealth leaders. They urged emulation of New Zealand, whose prompt and splendid response was eulogised. The following resolutions were adopted :— "That in the opinion of this meeting of citizens, glorying in the traditions of the British race, the time has arrived for the Commonwealth to take an active share in the naval defence of the Empire." "That, in view of the expressed determination of Britain's rivals to challenge her naval supremacy, Australia should present a Dreadnought to tl.e British Navy as an immediate expression of her invincible resolve to stand by the Mother Country and take ncr place in the Empire's fighting line." BIG MEETING IN MELBOURNE. ROUSING SPEECHES. MELBOURNE, 25th March. The meeting held at the Town Hall was marked by unbounded enthusiasm. Hundreds were unable to gain admission, and held meetings of their own. The Lord Mayor presided. Sir T. Bent (ex-State Premier) and a number of Slate members and others delivered rousing speeches, and resolutions were passed that the command of the sea was absolutely essential to the integrity of the Empire and the safety of oversea Dominions ; also in favour of presenting a Dreadnought. "GALLANT LITTLE NEW ZEALAND." WHO LEADS AUSTRALASIA? OPINION OF NEW SOUTH WALES PREMIER. (Received March 26, 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. In the course of his speech at the Dreadnought meeting, Mr. G. H. Reid said he admired the liberality of that gallant little country, New Zealarij. If they wanted >o know who was leader of Australasia in the estimation of the world, it was not this great continent; it was that gallant place New Zealand. A telegiam was read frcm Mr. Wade, State Premier, who was absent in Lhe countty, expressing the opinion that the Dreadnought proposal was inappropriate, because there was no immediate .oang^. EfigJaild,- ;ps in go need, of

money and the course proposed waß spahmodic. He favoured an increase of the naval subsidy to halt a million, which vould represent intcreet on several Dreadnoughts. SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD LANGUAGE. "HOWEVER POLITICIANS' MAY.; PALTER." PF.EtfS PROTESTS. (Received Marr-h 26, 10.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Herald says : — "Last night's Sydney and Melbourne meetings declared in simplo, straightforward language that, ho.vever politicians may palter, the people of Australia are ready and eager to contribute their quota to naval maintenance, and contribute without restriction or reserve." The Telegraph declares : — "The meeting may be taken as a represeatative piotest -against the failure of both the Federal and the State Governments to. recognise the significance of the present crisis in Imperial affairs." Both papers lake Mr. Wada, the Prettier, to task for his absence from the mepting, and his attitude towards the proposal. LABOUR OBJECTION. MONEY BETTER USED FOR PUBLIC WORKS. PERTH, This Day. A meeting of the Labour Federation decided to strongly oppose the Dreadnought proposal, ou the ground that, if the suggested expenditure were devoted to public works it would, prove of greater advantage to the workers of the State. BRITAIN WILL KEEP AHEAD. ADMIRAL BOSANQUET'INTERVIEWED. FREMANTLE, 25th March. Admiral Sir Day Bosanquet, the new Governor of South Australia, has arrived here by the Onirab. In the course of an interview, he said that, at the present moment, there was no great fear of a German complication. He had not seen the papers dealing with the naval crisis, but, speaking in a general way, Britain will 'keep building Dreadnoughts as fast as Germany. Both Mr. Asquith and Mr. M'Kenna have distinctly and repeatedly stated that they will not allow the Navy to fall behind the standard necessary for the protection of the Empire. It is impossible to believe that there is much foundation for the alarmist reports that the naval standard will not be adequately maintained, and there .is no cause for a panio such as that described in the cables. "I view the matter," he added, "with no alarm. Of course, Germany is getting richer, and wants to extend her Empire, but we may rely on the repeated statements of Mr. Asquith that Britain will keep anead of German enterprise in shipbuilding." TASMANIAN FEELING. | HOBART, This Day. An enthusiastic meeting was held at Hobart, and a resolution adopted in. favour of the Dreadnought proposal. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD CALL PARLIAMENT TOGETHER. MELBOURNE, This Day. One resolution carried at the Dreadnought meeting was to the effect that if the Federal Government could not reconsider its position ii should call Parliament together and give the people an opportunity of dealing with the position. Mr. C. W. Palmer, secretary of the Navy League, has received the following cablegram, dated London, 25th inst. : — "Navy League thanks our countrymen in New Zealand for splendid, gift." OFFER APPRECIATED. The Prime Minister has received a cable message from Mr. Henniker Hea-, ton, M.P., offering his congratulations, and stating that he has been asked to. v advise Sir Joseph Ward that members of his Majesty's .Government have' authorised him (Mr. Henniker Heanon) to inform him that New Zealand's patriotic offer has had very great moral effect in the United Kingdom, and especially in foreign countries, being specially valuable at the present time". Newspaper posters in tho principal cities of the United Kingdom were headed " New Zealand's generous and patriotic offer."