OUR VITAL SEA POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14835, 11 November 1911, Page 7

OUR VITAL SEA POWER

NO FLINCHING AT THE CALL. REDUCTION OF ESTIMATES. GERMAN BUILDING THE KEY. By Telegraph. Association.— (deceived November 10, 11 p.m.) London, November 10. Speaking at the Lord Mayor's banquet at the Guildhall, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Churchill, declared.that the navy was strong actually and relatively, and there was no reason why it should not be maintained at its full strength, though the Estimates would be reduced from the present abnormal level. It would be hypocrisy to pretend that the sudden and rapid growth of the German navy was not a main factor in the new construction programmes-. " The German Navy Bill," added Mr. Churchill, "calls a halt in 1912. The nations will then enter a more trustful and genial climate, but if the vast programmes of other Powers are. swollen by new expansion, then I am bound to say, on behalf of the Government, that Great Britain will be found the best able to bear the strain, and the last to fail at the call of duty."

DOMINIONS' LOCAL DEFENCES. (Received November 10, 11 p.m.) London, November 10. General Sir William Nicholson, Chief of the General Staff, said it was gratifying to observe the efforts | of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to organise their local forces. AN AUSTRALIAN-BUILT NAVY. By Telegraph— Association.—Copyright Melbourne, November 10. Speaking at the Lord Mayor's banquet, the Governor-General, Lord Denman, said: " However much we may favour international arbitration, recent events show that wo are still obliged to reluctantly admit that preparedness for war is the best guarantee for peace, and tho guns of the British fleet tho best security against aggression. . The launch of the cruiser Australia is one of the noteworthy events of the year. I hope that in a few years Australia will have a fleet able to guarantee the integrity of her shores." Vice-Admiral Sir George King-Hall declared that Australia had adopted the right policy in creating a separate naval force. He advocated a definite naval programme. Australia in future would not be content to send money Homo for naval construction. She would look ahead. A NEW SITE FOR NAVAL COLLEGE. Melbourne, November 10. As a result of opinions expressed during the debate on the Estimates that all buildings for the Federal Government should be within the capital territory, the announced site of the Naval College has been changed from Port Hacking to Jervis Bay. The caucus strongly opposed Port Hacking, and the announcement followed the caucus meeting, at which strong pressure was brought to bear on the Government.