OUR DREADNOUGHT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 107, 7 May 1909, Page 2

OUR DREADNOUGHT.

NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. A CHORUS OF GRATITUDE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, 26th March. From the colonial standpoint the acrimonies of the naval controversy in England are quite eclipsed by the cables from day to day, recording the progress of the discussion in the colonies. New Zealand's magnanimous offer, which was ma-dc known on -Monday afternoon, evoked a 'babel of gratitude and approval. It was so thoroughly characteristic of our Dominion that the press of all shades of opinion joined in a chorus of applause. Perhaps the most prettilyworded acknowledgment is that of tho Daily Mail:— "Theofferof New Zealand to provide a Dreadnought for the British Navy is one of those splendid acts of affection and patriotism which kindle the imagination and stir the blood. Once more, in a moment of stress and crisis, New Zealand is setting a great example, as ten years before she did on the eve of the South (African 'War. Then it was the lives of her dearest sons that she freely oifered the Motherland. To-day it is ships and money. The spirit is tho same, and for this proof of it the deepest thanks of this nation will go out to its kindred of the Southern Seas. And it is not only New Zealand that is moving. . . . Thus fresh proof is being given to mankind of that solidarity of the Empire which so astonished the world in 1899. We shall gladly accept all that the Oversea Dominions aro prepared to give, and shall feel comfort at the thought that their action proves the unity of the 'British race." The most practical comment is offered by the Morning Post, which looks forward without any fear to the day when each of the States of tho Empire will equip, train, and support its naval squadron. It says :—: — "From Sir Joseph Ward's Government there has come the definite offer on the part of the youngest Dominion to defray tho cost of a first-claes battleship of the latest type, and, if necessary, to provide another as -well. This step has been taken 'by the unanimous decision of the Cabinet, and the Prime Minister has made it clear that they are eager and anxious to take the lead" in lending their support to the Mother Country at the present moment. By Englishmen these generous offers will be received with the warmest appreciation and with, the keenest admiration for the spirit which prompts them. Once again the people of tho King's Dominions Overseas have shown their power of grasping the essential character of problems affecting the welfare of the British race, and their capacity for instant decision and "determined action in ma-tters of high Imperial policy. Australians and New Zealaaiders do not suffer themselves to be blinded by empty phrases and sentimental theories when the security of the Empire is at stake. The splendid spirit of resolution and willing self-sacrifice shown during the struggle in (South Africa can always be relied on in a crisis. In spite of the short-sighted and tactless .discouragements offered by the authorities in this country, the desire of. the younger States to play their part as strong and selfreliant nations in preserving the fabric of British power, still burns undimmed."' Needless to say, there has been a tendency on tho part of many of the papers to make political capital of the controversy. The comments of the older papers are all so marred. 'Mr. (Hall-Jones, who was besieged by newspaper reporters on Tuesday, said to one of them: — "I am exceedingly pleased to find that my old colleagues have taken the course they havo in the matter. It indicates tho loyalty of New Zealand to the Old 'Country, and her desire- to cooperate in -anythiag which requires to be done. Tho spontaneity of an ofter of this nature will, I think, be an example to others to follow on the same lines. There was jio prolonged talk about the matter. The offer was considered by the Cabinet, submitted to the Government, and immediately passed and made. "London," added the High Commissioner, "has received the offer in a splendid spirit. I am being rung up from all parts of London, and people are expressing their appreciation of the way in which New Zealand has taken th« matter up. It shows the unity of the Empire. We are all of one race, and closely knitted together." The action of iNew Zealand and the other Dominions had quite a salutary effect on the 'Stock Exchange, which has suffered considerable agitation lately from international troubles. A REMINISCENCE. The Pall -Mall recalls the self-reliant policy in New Zealand in the sixties. It says: "Apropos of New Zealand's intention lo present us with a couple o£ Dreadnoughts, one may recall the time, just half a century ago, when it was f-eriously proposed in the colony that it should dispenso with the costly and cumbrous Imperial forces, and trust in > future to the militia and the Maori auxiliaries. T.his was known as the self-reliance policy, and, strangpst of all, it would seem to have been supported, though unintentionally, by General Cameron, the leader of the regulars. Twice he pitched his camp so clo.=o to thick cover that tho -Maoiis dashed out to the attack. But his most astonishing feat was to take up 57 days in marching 54 miles along the sea coast, clinging^ to it so tenaciously that tho natives nicknamed him the Lame Seagull. As the colonists had borrowed £3,000,000 to pay for the- war, and were paying £40 a year per man for 10.000 Imperial troops, they naturally wanted a better return for their money." TO THB EDITOB. Sir, — As ono who in the early fifties served in a humble capacity in the Australian Squadron under Commodore Erskino, I have always had the greatest admiration for the patriotic, democratic, and progressive Dominion of New Zealand. So ray pen fails to describe the feelings of pride and satisfaction to know that whilo the Commonwealth of Australia was thinking the matter over the plucky little Dominion, with its bare population of a million souls, cornea again to the assistance of the Motherland with tho magnificent offor to defray tho cost of a Dreadnought, or two if required. Hampered though sho is with a great national debt, and sen&iblo too of her own buidcns, the yet. makes this splendid offer. England has reaton to bo proud of the Dominion. It is fresh in our memories hero at Home how sho sen( contingent after contingent to South Africa to help us, and how all classes of that small community subscribed their thousands to supply tho sinews of war. I, as an old naval nnn, deplore any attumpt to make the Bplendid British Navy a party issue. Wo aro all proud of its past, confident of its future, and firmly believe that, in it wo have that all protecting arm to. weaken which would mean national suicrcle. May I as ono living at ihe naval hub of the Empire, voice tllo view that England s supremacy upon the sea remains absolutely unchallenged and unchallengeable. FinaLeial consideration alono places Germany to a great disadvantage aa regards her output of Dreadnoughts. But nover-. tholesi wo must over keep a calm and watchful eye on that danger zone- the North Sea. Now Zoaland has made it. clear that bl\o at leatt will never allow tho Trident the scentro of sea power to Blip from John Bull's grasp. It is not slipping from his grasp, and the Empire does not mean that it shall. With pleasant recollection of time spent in your midst. — I am, etc., EDWARD TURNER. Portsmouth, England, 23rd March.