ENTHUSIASM IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12494, 22 March 1909, Page 2

ENTHUSIASM IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

SUMMONING OF PARLIAMENT URGED. Received March 22, 1.10 a.m. Sydney, March 21. The suggested presentations of a Dreadnought meets with general support in Sydney. Politicians, however, while sympathetic, are reticent, realising that financial problems are involved. Mr W. H. Kelly, a member of the House of Representatives, wired to Mr Fisher, urging huh to call Parliament together to deal with the mat- v ter. or, as an alternative, countermanding the building of destroyers, on the ground that the augmentation of the Empire's battleships is more important than the creation of an isolated flotilla here. Mr Cook, leader of the Federal Opposition, "referring to the naval sitttation, as disclosed by t^e-cablegramsi said there should be an instant response from tbe oversea dominions, ■ Mr Deakin, speaking at Murwillumbah, made a- spirited appeal for enthusiasm on the defence question. .- • The spirit suggesting the -presentation, of a Dreadnought was' a- splendid one. Melbourne, March 21. The newspaper's suggestion of presenting a Dreadnought is meeting with strong general support. An enthusiastic meeting of the Stock Exchange carried a resolution . asking that Parliament be called together to authorise the building of a" gift Dreadnought. Lord Dudley and" many public men have expressed approval of the pre-* sentation, and telegrams from other States -Indicate similar feeling.