AUSTRALIAN FEELING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14018, 25 March 1909, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN FEELING.

A NINE-DAYS' WONDER. FEDERAL PREMIER'S OPINION. '" " ' ;v, ■' By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. • . V•, ; -< l ,»,• Melbourne, March 24. Tho annual conference of the Australian Natives' Association ; resolved ; that the Parliaments and people should unitie in offering a Dreadnought to Britain while at the same time emphasizing the necessity of proceeding with the Australian defence policy.' v.- / ' / . The association decided to contribute £250 from its ; funds 'if a presentation list be opened. , 1 , • 1 (Received March 25, 1 a.m.) . Melbourne, March 24. . The Federal Prime Minister . (Mr. Fisher) is of opinion that the public clamour for the Federal Government to take action in the matter of Dreadnoughts will be over in a few daye. It would be a fine and handsome thing, he. says, to borrow money- to make the gift, and allow posterity to pay off the loan. The Government would have to find money for Australia's own defence, and that would be difficult enough. ' Sydney, March 21. The newspapers are overflowing with letters for and against the presentation of a Dreadnought. w j , The bulk of the writers are fervently enthusiastic and laudatory of New Zealand's example. * ' • ' The suggestions -range from the gift of one battleship to a squadron. ,