THE BRITISH NAVY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2883, 23 June 1909, Page 25

THE BRITISH NAVY.

LONDON, June 16. . In the House of Commons Mr Asquith, in reply to a question by Mr Keir Hardie as to the -form in which the' Commonwealth's generous offer of a Dreadnought would be finally accepted, said it would depend on the friendly discussion at the forthcoming Defence Conference.

Mr Hardia asked whether, considering that, the Australian Labour party still opposed the offer and that public opinion was much divided, the Imperial Government would delay its final acceptance until after the general election. Mr Asquith replied: "No, sir The; communication came to us from the Government of the Commonwealth, and we are concerned with it, and it alone."

Lady Jersey presented to the battleship Commonwealth at Portsmouth a silk ensign from the Women's Branch of the British Eimpire League.

After the dispersal of the fleet at Portemouth the ships assembled for manoeuvres in the North Sea.

Germany is mobilising a .reserve squadron of eight battleships, which will take part in the manoeuvres in Augustj and September.

June 17.

There are 350 British warships of various classes assembled in the North Sea for .the manoeuvres, including 40 battleships, 27 armoured nnd 26' protected cruisers, 117 destroyers, 79 torpedoers, and 26 submarines. The Blue Fleet will endeavour to prevent a junction between the White Fleet and the Red, and to bring the White or Red to action before a junction can be effected.

June 20

Speaking at' Midt!leton (Lancashire) Mr R. M'Kenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, emphasised ' the need of a special effort. Whereas Britain had only, eight large ships laid down Germany, had 10. For the present at anyrate all hopes of limiting naval programmes by arrangement had proved groundless. Mr M'Kenna's speech shows that the Government calculates upon the three German battleships in the 1909 programme being already begun.

Mr M'Kenna informed Mr J. T. Middlemore, in answer to a question, tliat some delays were expected in the completion of the St. Vincent and the- Collingwood-^ x.ie dales originally fixed were next Becember and February. MELBOURNE, June 16. Mr Foxton has sailed for London fc* attend the conference.

A rumour is afloat in Hongkong that the White Star liner Celtic will visit; Eastern porU in Novcnber with a shipn.ent of business men, who are to tour the world in the interests of certain British industries. Also, that the American pleasure excursion has chartered the Atlantic liner ' Arabic for a round-the-world tour. Hongkong will be the port of call for both vessel!.