THE RIVAL NAVIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13863, 27 March 1909, Page 5

THE RIVAL NAVIES.

GIFT OF A DREADNOUGHT. AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE. Press Association-Bv Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, March 25. Mr J. A.' Gould, president of the Commonwealth Senate, in an interview regarding the gift of a- Dreadnought,

said that Australia was willing to do all in her power if the necessity demanded it but firstly, Australia would object to anything in the nature of a compulsory levy; secondly, some uere inclined to confuse a subsidy with a tribute; thirdly, the Commonwealth had no great financial resources, owing to the fact that £8,000,000 of the revenue was returnable to the States.

SYDNEY, March 26. Iu the course of his speech at the Dreadnought meeting, Mr Reid said that lie admired the liberality of that gallant little country, New Zealand. If thev wanted to know who was the leader in Australasia in the estimation of the world, it was not this great continent, it was that gallant place New Zealand.

A telegam was read from Mr AYadc, Premier of New South Wales, who was absent- in the country, expressing his opinion that the Dreadnought l proposal was in appropriate, because there was 110 immediate danger. ; England was not in need of money, and the proposed course was spasmodic. He favoured an increase in the naval subsidy to £OOO,OOO, which represented the interest 011 several Dreadnoughts. The Sydney " Moi'ning Herald" says, that last night's Sydney and Melbourne meetings declared in simple straightforward language that, howover politicians may falter, the people of Australia are ready and eager to contribute without restriction or reserve. - ■ . ■ The "Daily Telegraph" declares tliab the meeting may be taken as a representative protest against the failure of both Federal and State Governments to recognise tlie significance of the present crisis in Imjx?rial affairs. Both papers take Mr Wade to task for his absence and attitude. PERTH* March '2G. A meeting of the Lcbaur Federation decided to strongly oppose the offer of - a Dreadnought,' on the ground that if the suggested expenditure were devoted to public works, it would prove of greater advantage to the workers of the State.

MELBOURNE, March 26. One resolution carried at the Dreadnought meeting was to the effect that if the Federal Government could not reconsider its position it should call Parliament together, and give the people an opportunity "of dealing "with the position. An enthusiastic meeting was held at Hobart, and a resolution adopted in favour of presenting a Dreadnought.

APPEAL FOl? FUNDS. Received 10.13 p.m., March 26th. SYDNEY, March 26. The Lord Mayor is issuing an appeal to the people of the State for £250,000 towards a Dreadnought. He says that this amount, backed by the handsome support he expects to receive from the State Government, - will relieve the State froni the stigma, of being selfish or indifferent. A strong and influential committee lias been appointed to act witli the Lord Mayor. GERMANY'S INTENTIONS. "STATEMENT BY MR ASQUITII. Received 11.35 p.m.,' March 26tli. LONDON, March 26. In the House of Commons, Mr . Asquit U stated in reply to Mr J. G ret ton that Germany's intention not to accelerate her shipbuilding programme was first intimated to Britain, verbally, through .diplomatic channels oii 10th Marcli. The intimation added that Germany would not have 13 Dreadnoughts till the cud of 1912. Comparing this with the Admiralty information the Government concluded that the statement did not include cruisers. Admiral Tirpitz, German Minister for the Navy, on March 16tli, showed that it did. • Oil the 18tli he was iuformed regairding two ships to be ordered Under Germany's . 1909-1910 ■ programme, the contracts having been previously promised to certain firms beforehand, but Britain ivas given to understand that this would in no way qualify the statement regarding the rate of construction.

It is now- arranged that Mr A. H. Lee shall on Monday more a. motion of censure, the resolution to be in terms identical with those used by Mr Balfour. The latter will reserve his speech till the close of the debate in the hope that the Government's final pronouncement- will obviate a division on party lines. NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. AUTHORITIES INTERVIEWED. LONDON, March 25. The " Times" states that the Oppotion consider that the postponement of New Zealand's offer will chill the enthusiasm of the colonials' loyalty. Admiral Beresford, in an interview, said he considered that naval affairs were so.grave that lie must have time .to consider What his duty to the Navy and the country dictates. Mr Carnegie, in addressing the New York Peace Society, blamed England for- beginning the aggravating policy of Dreadnoughts. ■ Lord Balcarrcs, speaking at Beekenliam, said that New Zealand's offer was equivalent to £4 per inhabitant, yet its acceptance was likely to be deferred for twelve months. A MESSAGE FROM THE KING. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 20. ;• Sir.Joseph Ward has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of !&<■•« tc for "the Colini.cs. through His Excellency the Governor: — ' " T am commanded by His Majesty ' the. Kins:, to inform you that His Mnj;estv is deeply gratified by the "oatnotic •feeling displayed by New Zealand to:w!>rd= the Mother Country, in their splendid offer, and to convey at once his ■>ratitilde and high appreciation for the ••.flii.c 'patriotism aiid generosity sliowH in

the magnificent offer made so promptly and spontaneously." Sir Joseph Ward has received the following cablegram from the Secretary oi State for the Colonies through His Excellency the Governor: —"In further reply to your telegram of March 22nd I. desire you to express to Sir Joseph Ward and to your Government, iii the warmest terms, the feeling of appreciation and gratitude with which His Majesty's Government lias received the offer so generously and patriotically made. In view of the uncertainty that exists as to the character and extent of the demand which may be made on the national resources in the following year, the offer of the Government of New Zealand to bear within that period the cost of providing one first-class battleship of the latest type, and of a second of the same type should subsequent events show it to be jiecossary. is most "ratefully accepted by His Majesty's Government. ■ Your Government will, doubtless, understand that it is impossible to enter 'into details by telegram, but you will receive at ail early date full communication by despatch, as His Majesty's Government decide-! to consult with the Government of New Zealand as to the time it mnv become appropriate to give effect, to their public spirited proposal. So far as the comine; financial year is concerned, the provisions and powers for which Function is being asked in t-l>« Naval Intimates 1 now leforc Parliament afford a.r» ,r <lp security." The Prime Minister !>»» received n cable message from Mr Henniker Heaton, M.P., offering his congratulations and stating that he has been asked to advise Sir Joseph Ward that the members of His Majesty's Government have authorised liitn (Mr Heaton) to inform .Sir J. G. Ward that New Zealand's patriotic offer has had a very great moral effect in the United Kingdom, and especially in foreign countries, being specially valuable at the present time. .. The newspaper posters in the principal cities of the United Kingdom were headed, "New Zealand's generous and patriotic, offer." The (secretary «>f the Wellington branch of the Navy League has received the following, dated London, 25th inst.: —"Navy League thanks our countrvnieu in New Zealand for splendid gilt;" .

AUCKLAND, March 2G. At- a meeting, of the general council of the Notional Defence League, held to-night, it wnsj resolved to send the following telegram" That the League entirely approves of the. prompt andi patriotic offer made hy Sir Joseph AY ard to the Imperial Government, and most earnestly urges him to tal?"e similar; prompt and patriotic: action for the training and arming for self-defence of the manhood of the Dominion hy the introduction of universal defensive training-" .