GIFT OF A BATTLESHIP.

Mataura Ensign, 22 March 1909, Page 2

GIFT OF A BATTLESHIP.

THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION. ANOTHER IF*NECEMARY. THE COST OF EMPIRE. by rtixattAtm. rgo* oua U-KCI4I, cut&ttroMDtxt. WELLINGTON, March 22. In an interview with oar represent** tivo to-dsy the Prim* Minister remarked: 'The unanimity of both sides which the recent debate in the British House of Common* has disclosed with regard to the gravity of the situation between the Motherland and Germany iu so far as our naval ascendancy 15 concerned cannot be misinterpreted, i No room is left for doubt that England feels that her supremacy on the sees ie now seriously threatened bv the uu* ing naval activity in the German dockyards. It appears clear that all thoughtful men in Great Britain recognise that Iho Empire must act with the utmost determination and if necessary make sacrifices to maintain the naval supremacy upon which not only our honor but our national greet uses depends. The burden lying upon the British nation for naval expenditure is nt, present enormous and every loral subject of the Crown must feel 'that in a time of crista like ibis ho is called upon to help the Motherland with more than words.

"Now Zealand is proud of past proof* of her loyulty to the Mother Country and stands to-day in the estimation of British people as among tlie first iu the British dominions for a ready and loyal response whero the necessities of the Empire calls for it." "ASSISTING THE MOTHERLAND."

Continuing, the Prime Minister said, •Tudor those circum»tauce» the Government of New Zealand I wis iu obligations to assist the Motherland and at a Cabinet meeting this morning unanimously agreod to my proposal that this country should offer to defray the cost of the immediate building' and arming of one first-class battleship of the latest type and if subsequent events show it to bo nueussarv to provide the eosL of a second warship ot the same design." Kir Joseph went on to state that he had sent this oiler through his Excellency the Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies (the Earl of Crewe) this afternoon. "This is a time," he continued, "when waiting or hahiu: ■•» tin- part cil the New Zealand G. teintncni .-n.il enormously lessen tin- w.!i. •■', miv assistance we might ■•veiniidl'v 'iie, anil 1 leel confident !'■«• *. ' n:»n. > touching our national ,Aislem-.- will i. ( treated as above paif\ .iiii'.niui'atiot: and will appeal to cveM • •.(„„, <>< tin community as a ..ud j-.-ope; tiu.ig to do. Apart from the moral effect o? this oiler it bus to be remembered that even upon the ground <>t scJt-intoreM it ..- amply justified, since in this country the value of our national and private ivealth is uon nearly L'(itXI,U(XI,OtJO sterling Hud ibis largely depends upon the Itiilisb Saw 1,,r its M'ciirilv and dolellee."

IV I'rinn. Minister ..-!.!■ ,1 thai i)n» Icterniinatioii Itsifl ncjt 1 11 lniiiii.Mr irrivcd nl. ll*- Ua.t hen ivw.king th'» whole matter for some days |ius( mid liter anxious and caictul consideration liii'l brought it bcloro stunt' of hit. colleagues mi Saturday morning lust. All tlli' Ministers wit.> present at the njeelng ul Cabinet to-day when (h«. matter -.Viii, dealt willi and as li« liail already -Intel the |ir<i|HihHl had been cordially mill unanimously assented l<>.