ANOTHER DREADNOUGHT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 5

ANOTHER DREADNOUGHT

POSSIBLE INCREASE IN PAY OF NAVY MEN. LONDON, May 22. Some of the newspapers state that the Government is discussing the question of provision for another Dreadnought during the current year, rrd increase in seamen’s and stokers pay. The matter of the application of the profits of canteens for pensions for the dependents of men disabled in service Js also, it is said, under consideration. DOMINIONS AND EMPIRE DEFENCE. SYDNEY, May 23. Sir Joseph Ward, in an interview, said, regarding New Zealand’s offer to the Admiralty, that there was only one way in which the greatest service could bo rendered to the Empire in the matter of oversea defence, and that iras by having the fullest and most, effective strength concentrated at a point whore, in all probability, the decisive trial, if one eventuated, would take place. Ho was pleased the ship given by New Zealand was to be placed where the Admiralty considers it would render the best service.

Sir Joseph added that he was pleased the British people, through the Admiralty, had so liberally interpreted the spirit of the gift. AUSTRALIA MAKES NO' CHANGE AT PRESENT. MELBOURNE, May 23. Mr Fisher, Federal Prime Minister, interviewed on the subject of New Zealand’s action regarding the gift Dreadnought, said that so far as Australia was concerned there was no change impending. He might have something to say I 1 ter. It is stated in other quarters that there is no intention to follow the example of Now Zealand, and hand the battleship Australia to the Admiralty. A CANDID CRITIC. MISTAKEN POLICY OF CONCENTRATION. (Received May 23, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON. May 23. The “Manchester Guardian” (Liberal) questions the Government’s right to ask that the New Zealand shot Id be stationed in British waters. The cruiser was given when the naval scare ivaa at ita height, under a complete misapprehension of the facts. All the prophecies of ruin then ; made _ had since been acknowledged to be ridiculous. It was a mistake once more give the New Zealand Government the idea that Britain’s naval supremacy was endangered. Moreover, it was inconsistent with Mr Churchill’s policy of encouraging the colonies to make themselves responsible for their own defence. “The plain explanation seems to be,” says the “Guardian,” “that the cruiser is on© of the finest afloat, and the Admiralty coveted her for the Home waters and grudged her going to New Zealand, where it was unlikely she would be wanted except for exhibition purposes. It is doubtful whether the Admiralty policy of concentrating the best ships m Home waters is not being carried too far. If trouble arose in China it might be a great convenience to have a firstrate cruiser in Australian waters.” CANADA’S ULTIMATE POLICY. (Received May 23, 11 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. “The Times” Toronto correspondent qnate naval contribution, has made striking headway recently. After Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s defeat and the apparent subsidence _ of the acute feeling between Britain and Germany Canada seemed to be returning to her old indifference; but now it *s apparent that the arguments in favour of _ an Imperial Navy have sunk deep into the minds of the people. The chances are that the ultimate Dominion policy will indude a fleet of , cruisers and naval colleges on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, with i battle cruisers and Dreadnoughts to give the Navy an Imperial value, the whole constitutan integral portion of the Imperial fleet and permitting the exchange of units for service in various parts of the world. GUARDING THE MEDITERRANEAN. FRENCH COMMENTS.

(Received May 23, 11 p.m.) PARIS, May 23. The fact that Mr Asquith and Mr Churchill will confer at Malta with Lord Kitchener _is interpreted in Paris is in no wise leaving the guardianship of the Mediterranean exclusively to Franco. The indications are that British strategical concentration in the North Sea does not prevent effective protection of the Empire’s communications and strategical realities unaffected by the problems which Canada, Australia, and' New Zealand are preparing to face to-morrow. Nevertheless, French newspapers are apprehensive lest the action of Italy in the Aegean Sea may ultimately be utilised by the Triple Alliance to the advantage of the constituent partners as far as the Eastern Mediterranean is concerned.