THE RIVAL NAVIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13880, 17 April 1909, Page 5

THE RIVAL NAVIES.

MR CHURCHILL'S INDISCRETION. Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, April 15. Tha newspapers severely comment on Mr Churchill's placing (in a letter to his constituents), among stupid and vicious errors the attempt to measure the strength of the navy only in. Dreadnoughts, and declare that this is an attack on Mr Asquith and Mr McKenna. Mr Churchill's further statement that, men count first, and then guns, is also condemned as implying that having a fine body of sailors it is needless to bother about the particular class of ships. The "Times" charges Mr Churchill with obstinately pressing his views' at all hazards, and obstructing the Cabinet's decision on vital questions. The "Standard" says that Mr Churchill throws his leaders over. The "Morning Post" says that Mr Churchill, having failed in his efforts to impair tlie naval strength, seeks to •ehieve the same result by other methods. AN EXCESS OF SHIPS. Received 10.10 p.m., April 16th.' LONDON, April 16. The " Westminster Gazette," on one phrase of Mr Churchill's letter, assumes that the battleships to be given by the colonies will be in addition to those constructed from home resources. This would bo an excessive provision. While' tlie country welcomed the offers of the colonies, there was no reason why these should lead Britain.to build a fleet larger than was required for safety. COMMONWEALTH OFFER. Received 10.58 p.m., April 10th. LONDON, April IG. The "Times,", on the authority of a well-informed correspondent, states that the Commonwealth has cabled to the Admiralty that in the event of an emergency the whole of their naval forces will be placed unreservedly under the Admiralty's direction upon the request of the commander on the Australian Station. ... '

MR FISHER SPEAKS PLAINLY

Received ll'.i>o-p.m., April 16th BRISBANE, April 16.

Mr Fisher, the Federal Premier, replying to comments on his naval'policy, said that if the people of the Commonwealth wanted the Government to present a Dreadnought they would have to provide another Government to do it. His idea was that it would be far better for all concerned if they spent tho money in strengthening their own defences. He did not wish to say anything about those people who desired to give a Dreadnought, but he declined to commit the Government to such a foolish act. Those who advocated giving a Dreadnought would have to go to'tlic Mother Country and ask her to provide the money to do it with, and could anything be more ridiculous? They simply declared to the world that they had neither the money to build battleships themselves, nor had they the dockyards or material for building them. They also had to admit that they had neither the men to man them, nor trained men to officer, them.