GERMANY "BLOWS OUT." What About Our Own Defence?

Free Lance, Volume X, Issue 477, 21 August 1909, Page 6

GERMANY " BLOWS OUT." What About Our Own Defence?

ONE of the most cheerful notes struck during the past week comes from Germany- It is the statement that the wax pace and the Government's naval policy are beginning to flatten the Fatherland out There is not much of cheer id the note from the German point of view, probably. The lovers of peace throughout the world, however, will bo throwing their hats into the air over the announcement. • • • The cable has proclaimed that the German Budget reveals a deficit for the year of £18,000,000. Also, that the import taxes are nearly £5,000000 below the estimate for the year The "Berliner Zeitung" has declared that the Government's naval policy is untenable in view of the finances of the country. In the words of "the man in the street," Germany "is right up against it/ Having in view the fact that Germany in recent years has virtually set the pace in the feverish building of Dreadnoughts at two millions a time, the fact that she

will have to go slow is distinctly reassuring. • • • What has been the effect of Germany s pace-making in armament? It cannot be said that she has made much, if anything, out of the business- Britain's supremacy on the seas has, perhaps, been challenged, but, so far, vaguely and ineffectively. Britain's commercial expansion has been m no wise curtailed or harrassed. Whatever Germany's ultimate designs in those directions may have been, they have not materialised. It would appear now that they are likely to be disposed of foir some tune by internal difficulties. What has been the effect on our own nation of Germany ' 9 warlike ardour? • • • Latest developments in connection with our Imperial defence proposals indicate that we shall probably profit very materially as a re* suit of the German menace. The recent panic, more than anything else, perhaps, has had the effect of galvanising into widespread activity every portion of our Empire's defences. If no other results were achieved, the fact that the oversea* dominions have been called to conference on the matter, and that our defences in all parts of the Empire are to b© reestablished on up-to-date and satisfactory lines, are notablysuccessful accomplishments. • • • Another highly satisfactory result will be the mission of Lord Kitchener, probably the greatest military organiser our Empire has ever known. His visit of military and general defence inspection to Australia, New Zealand, and other overseas dominions of the Empire will have the best possible effect in putting local defences in order and in stimulating military ardour. • • • It is now imperative that the people m New Zealand, as well as in other parts of our Dominions, must put forth their efforts in the direction of building up home armies. Some system of compulsory military or naval training for the manhood of our country is sure to eventuate. Thie sooner it is established the better. Australia's aspirations and practical steps for her own navy make it clear that she is not going to lag in this matter. It is for us in New Zealand, by individual effort and loyal co-operation, to maintain that high reputation, which the youngest dominion has always held for zeal in the Empire.

A big American motor contest on navel lines is to be held ia November next by the "New York Bforsußd," the test serving a double purpose, viz., (reliability of Americaa cars and tbJe improvement of the highway between New York and Atlantic City, a distance of a little Jiess 'than 1000 miles. £1000 in prifces (in gold or tropfhles, whichever winners desire) wal! be presented, betsidles gold medals to oil contestants who score a certain number of points, whilst the devefojwnenit of good iroadis along the route will be encouragied by the presentation of sax prizes, totalfling £680. to the districts oJong the route which 'hiare the best road section. The event is to be made em anaraial affair, and it is ihopeidi tihat tfcihe test wOil be in time the means of establishing a spfendiidi 1000 mdflles highway between the two cities. Here is a hint for some of ouir ihiard'-aiip (Booa) bodies in New ZeaHantl l . A great effort is being put foxtlh in England by tihe oradk _ Hong-dißftanco road riders to see wiho wiM be the first rider to aioeomplislh 100 miles umpaced on the raadl on an otufc and home ooura© in five ihours or unidea". Then nearest yet attained is 5 honurs 3 miiQUtes, by F. H. Gnibb, who, onQ|y for punctouring a. few miles from the finish., wouMhaTo broken five hours. Im Victoria, the "Hundred" is ridden by dozens of cyclists in ihe DunLop Road! Race from Warmaonbool to MelbouErme well under five hours. It woiullld 1 be interesting to see wha/t some of tlh© best Austnilasiiaai, road rider®, say, F. Arnst (New Zealand), T. Laroombe (New South Wales), oa- M. Chappel (Victoria.) ooudd cover a hundired miles unpaced over axt out and home course. Going by their respective performances in tlh© W«nrnamboolf race, it certainly Hooks as if they could aeoonrrxKsh. a rettt that has so far beatesn. the cream of English noad ridteiTß.