THE RIVAL NAVIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13867, 1 April 1909, Page 5

THE RIVAL NAVIES.

......... -..■. i.*mjtv»i.i. BRITISH NAVAL ESTIMATES. LONDON PRESS COMMENT. Press Assoc-i;i,tion-By Telegraph-Cop vriqbt ■ LONDON, Ma roll "30. In the House of Commons, Mr MeKcniia, in reply to Sir Henry Norman, hinted that certain preparations were being made for a contingent Dreadnought, ' including the designs already in hand. The "Westminster Gazette" commends the Government for adhering to the estimates, and emphasises the need for a/' sufficiently wide margin of security. "To save us from the perpetual scrutiny of our it says, "we must replace the present fleet by Dreadnoughts in a longer or shorter time. Wc cannot flatter ourselves that we have any superior resources enabling us to make, up the lost time if we delay too long." The "Times" says that Mr Asquith's candour in disclosing the perils of the situation is, in the eyes of the country, the brightest "point in the history of his administration, but his proposed measures are indefensible in the light", of Sir Edward Grey's very lucid statement justifying every criticism by serious students of the situation. The cumulative effect of Sir Edward Grey's survey should convince the Government nf the necessity of eight Dreadnoughts at the earliest possible date. STATE PREMIERS' VIEWS. SYDNEY, March 31. Mr Wade, Premier of New South Wales, wired to" Mr Fisher, stating that in the event of the.Commonwealth! not agreeing to increase the naval subsidy, but deciding to present a Dread--nought, New( South Wales and Victoria were prepared to find their proportion of the cost on a- population basis. Mr Kidston. Premier of Queensland, informed Mr Wade that the Queensland. Government was unable to agree to a proposal, to increase the naval subsidy. He considers that the Federal Government should be allowed to carry out its duties in reference to defence, without meddling. MOVEMENT IN CANADA. W T ILL FOLLOW 7 41TSTR ALT A. Received 0.45 p.m., March 31st. OTTAY\ T A, March 31. Mr Foster, speaking in the Dominion House of Commons, urged Canada to contribute regularly to the British Navy. . Sir. Wilfrid Lauricr, the Prime Minister, said he preferred to follow + he Australian Commonwealth's example aiid provide the nikleus of a local navy. Perhaps in building her navy, Germany was" preparing.to maintain at sea \>,liat France had done on land. No ISI-1 - tisher could be indifferent to such, a prospect, though the danger wis mit imminent. They must be vigilant and prepared to stump the country in the interests of defence (if the Empire. intimately, after the party leaders had conferred, a resolution was adopted declaring that the House would cordially approve of any necessary expenditure for the speedy organisation of the Canadian naval service, which would co-operate with the Imperial navy as the Admiralty had suggested at the last Imperial Conference. The "" Toronto Globe" says that though no unanimously precise course is to be taken, Canada will welcome a frank statement of what naval defr-me is best for Canada and the Empire. THE BROADERy VIEW. FORGING IMPERIAL LINKS. Received 10 p.m., March 31st. /-■" LONDON, March 31.. In the presence of 150 guests, including Lord Ranfurly, Lord Stratheona, Sir R. Talbot," the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, the Agents-General, leading merchants and ship-owners, bankers and financiers, the Earl of Crewe opened the Victorian offices. He expressed the hope that the Commonwealth and other States would -build offices on adjoining sites. He especially referred to the good management of the Victorian railways, and complimented Victoria on its great prosperity. It was impossible to allude to the gift of a Dreadnought without feelings of emotion and gratitude. The Government and the country were profoundly touched by this evidence of goodwill and sympathy and loyalty to the Empire. He was certain that there could not be a closer tie than that founded on common sympathy. Such had been shown first by New Zealand, now by Australia, in the noble contribution to the general defence of the Empire. The "Daily Telegraph," in a two eolmun leader dealing with the opening of the Victorian Agency, suggests that the Imperial ideal is at last finding expression in London architecture. The Commonwealth, Now Zealand, and South Africa must follow with edifices as expressive of the greatest factor of modern political life as mediaeval cathedrals. In connection with the Dreadnought, the paper recalls the New South Wales contingent to the Soudan. The "Morning Post" says that German battleships have aroused in the over-seas Dominions a full sense of the necessity for Imperial defence. After the splendid offer' of the Australian States fiscal changes are inevitable. The "Daily Express" Rays that the Australasian offers are the silver lining to the naval cloud, and that Imperial preference must be the outcome of the gifts of colonial Dreadnoughts. TENT "FOR, MR BALFOUR. THE GIFTS FROM STATES. Received 11.40 p.m., March 31st. LONDON,- March 31. Mr Balfour, in addressing 10,000 persons at the Agricultural Hall, said that nothing was more moving or magnificent than the unsolicited response of New Zealand with a population equal to five out of 28 of the London boroughs. Her gift was equivalent to more per head than the annual taxation per head of Britain. If such gifts were accepted, Britain cannot refuse the over-sea States preference, A

fiscal change was now inevitable. The new system must grant what the whole constellation of sister States had steadily, persistently, , and patiently asked for year after year. All the newspapers displav New South Wales and Victoria's offer. The "Standard" says that the value of tlic Australasian gifts sinks almost into insignificance besides the- moral effect, of their noble partnership i„ f]„, work of Imperial defence.-; The "Daily Mail " says that the .splendid offer has been re.-eived with tile warmest gratitude, and indicates the enol-mous latentresources of men and money' of the Empire. The "Daily Graphic," in applauding -New South Wales and Victoria;' 'adds that the Commonwealth realises'that it is impossible to have a voice in Hie control;of -the Imperial Navy without that federation for whicH colonial opinion is as yet unprepared. OFFER. DECLINED. ENGLISH PEOPLE MISLED. Received J2MS a.m., April Ist. , SYDNEY, March 31. It transpires that the banks of New South Wales and the Commercial ! Banking Company offered Mr Fisher two millions at 3} per cent, for the purchase of a Dreadnought, hut the offer was declined. The announcement in the English cables that Victoria and New South Wales have offered Dreadnoughts is evidently due to a misconception. MELBOURNE, March 31. A conference took place to-day by telephone between the Governments of New South W T ales and Victoria, in regard to their offer to the Prime Minister to bear their share On a. per capita basis of the cost of presenting a, Dreadnought. Mr Murray subsequently stated that the position was a. somewhat difficult onei The Cabinet would decide at its .meeting to-morrow what further steps should be taken. No formal reply was received from the Prime Minister, nor have the other States announced their attitude. It is understood that they are disinclined to contribute. He would have a further • conference with New South Wales to--morrow. NAVY LEAGUE'S APPROVAL. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 31. At the annual meeting of the Navy League to-day a motion was carried to the effect that the League heartily endorsed the. action of the Government, in. offering assistance.to the, Mother Country in the present epoch of her history! The mover said it was absolutely necessary that something should be done in the way of assistance, but perhaps it would have been better if the Government had not earmarked the money to be voted, for the present 1 Imperial Government was not such as would command the. confidence of naval peoule. It might have been better if assistance bad taken the form of an increased subsidy and the allocation of money to the Admiralty. It was resolved to forward a copy of the resolution to the Premier.