The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY,DECEMBER 23, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3712, 23 December 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY,DECEMBER 23, 1912.

Not for ;i long time lias a greater tribute been paid to ' the benefits of British rule than is represented by the decision of the Federated Malay States to present a battleship to cost 20,000,000 dollars, or about £z,000,000, to the Home Country. It seems, from Singapore files just to hand, that the moving spirit in eonnection with the gift was the Sultan of Perak, who visited London at the Coronation of King George, and a few months since entertained Prince Alexander of Teek at his palace at Kuala Kangsar in Perak. To many it may come as a'great surprise that the Sultan, a Malay, and of course, a Mohammedan, should favor a scheme for strengthening the forces of a Christian nation. But it is explained that he and the other Sultans realise that ths maintaining of Britain’s power means the upholding of the interests of Mohammedanism in Asia. Malaya is a wonderfully wealthy British proj tectorate, comprising several States. I each of which is governed by a native ruler. They meet at intervals, toi gether with the High Commissioner, | Sir Arthur Young; the Ptesidents, who are British: the unofficial British '■ | members, representing commercial in- ! ! forests, to some extent; and there is a Chinese member. For some time past the rulers of the various States have entertained the opinion that the Federated Malay States were not assisting the Empire in defence matters to an extent commensurate with their prosperity. His Highness the Sultan of Perak, when spoken to upon the subject by the High Commissioner, was enthusiastic in his praise of the scheme, and said his wish was to offer to Britain a first-class battleship, to

A Fino Tribute to British Rule

cost not less than 20.000,000 dollars. His Higness was glad to have the opportunity of showing liis loyalty and gratitude, he said, to the country that had protected the States for so many years, and through whose aid the States had attained such unbounded ! prosperity. His Highness the Sultan j of Selangor received the subject with i similar cordiality, and this was also { the case with the Ruler of Negri Sem- j hilan and His Highness of Pahang's j representative. The next step was to ' refer the matter to the Federal Coun- j cil, and the meeting was an historic one in the annals of Malayan administration. Speaking in the Malayan language, his Highness said: “It is

resolved that this council approves of ! the Federated Malay States offering I to the United Kingdom a first-class i armoured ship, the vessel to be con- j strueted as soon as His Majesty's advisers consider it desirable. Details as to payment to be decided hereafter, but payment to be made within five years if possible.” It was not that the United Kingdom was in urgent

need of such a vessel that this offer had been mads, the Sultan said; itwas because he was deeply sensible of the benefits of remaining under the protection of the British Empire. The strength of the United Kingdom was apparent to him. He hoped the vessel to bo built would be a suitable one. •T consider it only proper.” said the Sultan of Selangor, “that any ship to be provided shall bo referred to the Admiralty, because such ship should be of the type most useful to the British Government.” The Yam Tuan of Negri Sembilan, the Dato Inning Prang of Pahang, and the Chinese members of the Council, En Tong Seng, all spoke in favor of the scheme, and their remarks elicited lond applause. The resolution was carried. As will have been noted, the Home Grovernment has intimated that it is willing to accept this very handsome ffift of another up-to-date battleship.