THE NEW ZEALAND DREADNOUGHT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12506, 6 April 1909, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND DREADNOUGHT.

A LEGISLATOR'S OPINION. Whilii in Auckland recently the Hon F. Trasii, iM.L.C.,"was interviewed' by a "Star" reporter in reference to. NewZealand's offer of a Dreadnought. Mr Trask said that he heartily" congratulated Sir Joseph Ward and the Ministry upon their prompt action in offering, on behalf of the Dominion, to provide one battleship, and a second one if necessary, to 'increase the strength of the British Navy. He ■'. felt certain that the great majority of the people of the Dominion would approve of their action, which, judging from cabled news,- had caused more stir in England and elsewhere than anybody Gould possibly have imagined. Ho reallly believed that it was the intention of the Germans to iriake a warlike move agai»et Great Britain if she did not keep up her armament. In support of this belief. Mr Trask stated that some years ago, at the time of the Boer war, a distinguished German professor, whom he had taken for. a drive in Nelson, said in course of conversation, that he felt sure that Great Britain would be a third rate Power before three or four years had elapsed. ..." . I