THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14976, 23 April 1909, Page 7

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

RESOLUTION OF THE COLONIAL INSTITUTE. AUGMENTATION OF BUILDING PROGRAMME URGED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received April 22 t 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 22.

The Royal Colonial Institute has adopted a resolution expressing grave concern at the Government’s disclosures regarding the Navy, and asking that the present year’s shipbuilding programme should he augmented forthwith, thanking the colonies foi their gallant spontaneous offers of battleships, and welcoming Mr Asquith’s proposal for an Imperial Naya! Conference.

Sir Josiah Symons strongly deprecated the condemnation of the Government’s policy implied in the resolution. Ho declared that the Navy must be the floating bulwark of the Empire in the Pacific equally with the North Sea. He declared that Australia would pour out her treasure and blood for its maintenance. Mr Asquith’s suggestion of the necessity for a continuous policy was likely to deeply appeal to Australians. The resolution, was passed with a dozen dissentients. , THE FEDERAL PREMIER’S PLEDGE. (Received April 22. 9.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 22. Speaking at Newcastle, Mr Fisher said that he had pledged his party to offer Britain, in the event of trouble, not only a Dreadnought, but the whole of the resources of tho country.