NAVAL DEFENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4308, 18 March 1901, Page 4

NAVAL DEFENCE.

Someone has said, or sung, “It is the Navy, the British Navy, that keeps cur foes at bay." And it is evident thus the British Government, in resolving to increase the Navy Estimates for the current year by oyer two millions sterling, is determined that Great Britain shall maintain her : prestige and her power among nations that are exhibiting the 1 utmost activity in naval preparations. Britain’s new programme includes the expenditure of nine millions on the construction of some thirty additional vessels of various types. There is a manifest necessity for ah increase to the naval strength of the Empire. The area and interests to be, protected by ships of war are greater than they have been; and perhaps a stronger argument in support of the increased expenditure is that 'there has, been greater activity •of late among possible plunderers cf British trade. It is the aim of Germany to raise herself from -the position of a comparatively- weak sea Power to that of oiie of ,the most iioworful. The Kaiser, in a recent address to the generals of Lis army,-dedarod that-“a? my grandfather did. for the iarmy, so will I for the navy. The German navy must bo equal to the army. Then I shall be enabled to procure for Germany, the place among foreign nations which she has not yet obtained,” Within, the next sixteen yeans Germany’s navy will be

doubled. Although the Kaiser and our King are relatives and friends, and rise relations between Germany and Great Britain are all that could be wished at present, circumstances might arise

’.'.hereby these happy relationships may bo seriously disturbed, and the whole force of the German fleet cast in ilie balance against m. The usefulness and influence of sea power lias been abundantly demonstrated in recent wars, notably in the conflict between China and Japan, in the Spanish-American War, and in the more recent bombardment of the

Taku forts. Japan is about to quadruple her navy, and the United States Government is rapidly increasing the number of its battleships. France is expending ns large a sum upon -new warships as the amount or Mow Zealand's national indebtedness and her determination is that the vessels of the now programme shall be “individually superior in all respects to any possessed by Great Britain.” While Russia was preaching poaco to all the world, her arsenals and dockyards on the Black Sea wore never more active; and. despite the frauds that have been perpetrated upon the Russian Government in connection with naval construction, it docs not appear that these have affected the efficiency of her ships for actual warfare.

In view of these facte, there is ample justification for the strengthening of Britain’s “first lino of defence,” and in the spending of extra millions to render it more efficient. It is pleasing to healths opinions of such men as Mr C. id. Cramp, the president of the Cramp Shipbuilding Company, of the United States. He declares that ‘‘the British navy is the greatest in the world; its method has been the basil upon which principally the American warships have been 'built; it is eminently practical, has very few fads, and is free from the fantastic theories of most Continental const ruction.” But that should not induce ,us to lull ourselves into a state of undue self-confidence. The silent influence of sea power, as Captain Mahan terms it, has been felt among the nations during the South African campaign; and it cannot bo doubted that the efficiency of the navy inspired confidence at Home, and security in the colonies during the darkest hours of the war. All the world knows that the British Navy is an essential element in tho continuance of the nation’s progress and prosperity. It must he gratifying, therefore, to know that tho output of armour plates during the past, year has increased by fifty per cent. Previously the naval programme was limited to what was believed to bo the output of ill 3 country in armour plates, hulls, machinery and T)Jio ’ vast number of accessories ,to be provided. Two years ago it was stated at a meeting of the Institute of Naval .Architects that Groat Britain had i-oaeliod tho limit of her producing power in armour manufacture; but the contractors have evidently shown themselves qualified and equipped to undertake the.work of construction entrusted to them. During tho coining session , of' Parliament in New Zealand some discussion is likely to take place with respect to this country’s contribution to tho navy. Our present expenditure is just over twenty thousand a year; but in the light of the fact that tho British taxpayer is called upon to find thirty millions, the payment by New Zealand does nob seem to be proportionate. Our .security against invasion is in the keeping of the British Navy, oven although our land defence is altogether our own concern, so that the time is ripe for facing the quest ion of whether we ought , not to bear a larger share of the cost of protecting cur commerce from attack. ;