CABLE NEWS. THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9301, 7 March 1907, Page 5

CABLE NEWS.

THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. — COPYRIGHT.]

TWO-POWER STANDARD MAINTAINED.

[press association 1

LONDON, March 6.

Mr E. Robertson, explaining the Naval Estimates, stated • the Admiralty believed the present, programme would adequately maintain thie two-Power standing. Russia, France and Germany together had added to ttoir tonnage 1,108,280 in a decade, while Britain added 1,132,205. The cost per ton to Britain was £88 sterling, to Russia £93, to Germany £97, and to France £124.

Mr Robertson showed that Britain's twoPower standard would not be endangered for 3£ yeans.

Mr Balfour expressed a hope that when the time for trial comes, the Government would have the strength and the courage to propose, and the Commons the patriotism to support, any sacrifice that may be lequired to make Britain safe against any combination of any two Powers in tha world.

The words were very warmly cheered. Not tne least emphatic cheers of assent emanated from the benches immediately behind the Government.

Mr BaJfour at first thought Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman was not amongst those cheering, but tne Premier immediately corrected the impression, and emphasised regarding the proposals for lesser disarmaments, that Britain had no sinister purpose- or desire to force any Power to reduce its armaments.