THE NAVAL QUESTION.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12502, 31 March 1909, Page 2

THE NAVAL QUESTION.

OPPOSITION'S CENSURE MOTION. A MODERATE SPEECH. SIR EDWARD GREY'S REPLY. THE MOTION REJECTED. [ I'sess Association.— Copyright. ] Received March 30, 10.30 p.m. London, March 30. In the House of Commons, Mr A. H. L?e moved the censure rote in moderate terms. He denied that there was any public panic, but it was only natural that acute anxiety should be result from Mr Asquith's speech of the 16th. It was ; absurd to talk of Germany's treachery, and safety lay in refusing to be influenced by any pro- . mise not to accelerate building. A diplomatic declaration might become obsolete in a week, whereas it would take two years "to construct a battleship. . Sir Edward" Grey replied. He commended the absence of party feeling in Mr Lee's speech, but the Opposition ought to have deferred the censure until July, when the shipbuilding vote would be considered, and more information upon which to form a right judgment would be available to the House and- the country. It was perf ectly right to view the new situation created by the German programme as grave. When their progiamme was complete Germany would have thirty-three Dreadnoughts, the most powerful fleet in the world. That imposed upon Britain the necessity of rebuilding her whole fleet. (Sensation.) • : : ' - -■ ■' ' ■■'•"'■ Sir Edward Grey, continued: The" element of uncertainty was when this must ..be done. The first necessity, .therefore, was to take stock of the plant of the country, and that the Admiralty had done. British capacity for building hulls and propelling machinery and the manufacture of the largest guns was considerably in excess of that of Germany, but' he was doubtful about the. point of their comparative capacity to provide gun mountings. The .Admiralty had now arranged for manufacturers to pro- • vide such an increase that in a few months there would be a similar advance in this branch. Dealing with diplomatic relations, Sir Edward Grey insisted upon the good results of King Edward's Berlin visit. There were two things which might produce a conflict: First, a British attempt to fsolate Germany; and second, the isolation of Britain in an attempt by. any Continental Power to dominate and dictate tiie policy of the Continent. There was no reason to apprehend either contingency while European Powers were spending half their revenue in ; preparations to kill each other. The extent of this expenditure had become a satire and a reflection upon civilisation, Jbut Britain must be prepared to defend her national existence under conditions imposed in their own 'generation. He was glad that the colonies, such as New Zealand, recognised that their national existence was one with ours in this matter. Sir Edward Grey continued: "The only, possible basis of agreement upon limitations of armaments is an acknowledgment of British naval superiority. In: January I made our information . regarding acceleration known to Germany, adding that she must not be surprised if the British estimates were increased. Germany made a verbal. but quite definite declaration that she would have thirteen Dreadnoughts in 1912. This exposes their extreme apprehension regarding 1910-1911. Four British hypothetical Drcaclnoughts""are not intended as the limitation of the next programme; national security shall - have the bene,fit of any- doubt." Mr Asquith added little to Sir Edward Grey's speech. He .concluded with a strong appeal to his supporters for a vote of confidence. Mr Balfour, in winding up the debate, said the Government was relying upon too small a margin of naval ■ strength at a time when a greater strain was placed on our defensive resources than in the last hundred 3'ears. The . motion was rejected by 353 votes to 134. Lieutenant Bcllairs and Mr Kincaird Smith voted in favour of it, and the Labourites against. The Nationalists abstained from voting.