THE NEW ZEALAND DREADNOUGHT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 3 April 1909, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND DREADNOUGHT

THE PRIME MINISTER^ ACTION. ' 'ENDORSED BY- THE NELSON ' \' ' COUNCIL; _ j_v" < -■"■'■.' The naval situation and tho .'New; Zealand Government's action -iii .pre-

senting a Dreadnought were- the subject of some vigorous speeches at the City Council last evening. ■ Cr. Grape desired to move a resolution endorsing the action of. the Government, and through Councillors hot receiving notices' of motion, the proposal nearly met with shipwreck on twor-f or . tfce time— rather strong promontories. . . '■', Cr. Grace commenced to move h_s motion, but "Crs." Bisley and Pettit objected on the ground .that Councillors had not received copies of the motion. ; 'P% *fan.'pson pointed out that the bylaws did hot provide that copies musi be sent to? all Cpuncillors. - The Mayor said it would not be much good Handing in the resolutions if the 'Councillors did not receive them. The Town Clerk informed the. Council that Cr.. Grace's resolution had been handed in in the ordinary way, and copies sent to the various Councillors. The could jiot account for them not having been reoeived. •

The Mayor then ruled that Cr. Grace was in order, but this was objected to by Cr. Bisley, who desired a vote of the .Council on the ruling, but the Mayor held firm, and Cr. Grace proceeded. Cr. Grace then moved: — "That the Nelson. City Council, recognising the .vital -necessity, for maintaining the unquestioned supremacy o fthe British Navy, and realising that the exigencies of fhe case fairly demand a measure of self-sacrifice from every part of the Empire: heartily endorses the practica' and spirited action of Sir Joseph Ward and the New Zealand Government in offering to present a battleship to the British Navy ; and that copies of thi; resolution be forwarded to members of the Cabinet."

Pr Grace in the course of his remarks said the greatness of the Empire and the prosperity of New Zealand depended up. on commerce, and this in turn depended Upon the protection afforded by the British Navy, and on its supremacy on the seas. These very' colonies were made possible only by Britain's nava) supremacy. Existing as it had for three centureis, it had been challenged again and again by those who desired to acquire the trade. Naval supremacy, and commercial supremacy went hand in hand, and while it was satisfactory to know that the twol?ower standard existed to-day, in view of developemnts abroad it was necessary to see that provision was made that it shall exist in 1915, when the Anglo-Japanese Alliance terminates. Just as France challenged Britain's naval predominance in 1855 by initiating the armour-clad ship, a rivalry which Britain met by adopting an adequate building programme, so to-day Germany, seizing the advent of the new era in construction, had adopted the only policy by means of which she could hope to usurp naval and commercial supremacy. From figures which he suplied, he" said it could be seen that this year the British Government intended to lay the keels of no more capital ships than Germany was laying down, whereas to keep, pace with any other two Powerp and retain ten per cent margin in capital ships she should lay down eight Dreadnoughts per annum. Evidently the British Government found it hard to keep the pace set by Germany. The New Zealand Government's action, therefore, was taken opportunely, for it no doubt had the effect of creating a spirit of determination among the component parts of the Empire to maintain the two-Power standard. There were two courses, and two courses only, open to the British Empire: Either to go to war with Germany while our strength was predominant, or else to adopt such measures as shall maintain a strength at sea which prevents Germany from attacking us. It was the latter course which the Government of New Zealand suported, arid there was little doubt that this Council was in sympathy with the conrse adopted. In seconding the motion Cr. Hampson thought Nelson would not be acting up to its name if the resolution were not carried. They were all well aware what it wonld mean to New Zealand if Great Britain lost the supremacy of the ses. Ah action such as the Cabinet's did a good deal to show Great Britain that the colonies were with her. There was no doubt that other countries had kept a longing eye on New Zealand. The Mayor thought -Germany was making a great mistake. She would never reach supremacy by battleships. Liberty was at the bottom of commercial supremacy, and so long a 6 Britain remained true to free trade he did not think there was very much to fear. But, however, if Germany built the big batletships it was necessary for England to do so too. He would support the motion.

- Cr. Neale expressed himself as being in favour of increasing the annual subsidy. He did not think New Zealand had been called upou to present a Dreadnought .in the way that had been done. At the same time, after the offer had been made he did not feel disposed tc vote against the motion. Cr Pettit was of opinion that the Government had no right to commit' the colony to the expenditure without consulting the people. In addition he did not think there was any need f»r the gift to be made. There hacl been too much of the feeling of beinf! first ill the

matter. * Cr. Turner opposed lhe motion, lie thought the GoveinnniY. "''tip" »'^ a "silly tiling." Cr Bisley agreed with Cr. Pettit. Some of the brightest intelligences did not agree that the position was serious. Before acting the Government should have ascertained the feeling "f the pcopie. He was more in favour of iat creasing the subsidy to the Navy. The gift had been a fine advertisement, and that was about all they could say. Cr Field thought the only objection that 'could be taken to the offer waa that the Premier should have consulted the members of Parliament before acting. If the supremacy of the sea were lost, no one could say that it would be very long before even the peaceful city ot Nelson was being shelled. The resolution was then put and carried on the following division :-^yes : Crs. Field, Neale, M'Conchie, Hampson, Grace, and the Mayor. Joes: Crs. Turner, Robertson, Pettit, and liislcy.