TRUST THE NAVY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11686, 1 May 1916, Page 7

TRUST THE NAVY.

LORD BERESFORD'S REPLY 10 MR. CHURCHILL Speaking in tho House of Lords Lord Beresfold had something to say with regard to Colonel (Jhnrchill's recentspeech in the House of Commons. Statements had been made (he said) that our Fleet was not ready now, that it would be less ready in it few months, and that the management of the Fleet was not satisfactory. Those satements were wicked, and were liable to create a grave amount of anxiety in tho country, and to irritate the Fleet. He'did not know why they were made, unless it was a small mind that wanted to hurt the Government. They had hurt the Fleet instead, and the the attempt was smashod and pulverised the better. (Cheers.) One result of going to the front was that sometimes a man's mentality was affected. (Laughter). Tho right honourable gentleman who had made these statements ought to go and see a specialist as soon as he could. (Laughter.) He came back from the trenches and arrogated the rights that belonged only to the Government and the Crown with regard to the appointment of the First Sea Lord. .It was a mast mischievous agitation. AN APPEAL TO LORD FISHER.

It was thought that it was engineered by Lord Usher, and he wrote to him and begged him to attend thero to correct him (Lord Beresford) if he said anything wrong. From Lord Fisher's influence in the Press it was thought he had engineered it. However, tho agitation was only conducted by Mr Churchill and a few newspapers, assisted by twenty sandwich men. (Laughter.) It had no great support behind it. and he hoped it would soon coaso. • Ho would ask Lord Fisher if he was in his place, to remember that he could stop this agitation in one day. He had only to write publicly to the Press repudiating it and it would cease. Lord Fisher must know the mischief it was doing in the service and in tho country, and ho, must know that it was bad for the Stato, bad for our Allies, and had for the continuance of the war. If he did not at" once repudiate it they were bound to think ho was encouraging it. FULL FAITH IN THE COM-MANDER-IN-CHIEF.

If we wanted to go straight to disaster let the House of Commons and the Press nominate admirals and generals by popular clamour. No one man was necessary, and as far as the Navy was concerned no one man had created it; it was the result of the combined intelligence, patriotism and loyalty for centuries of the best the land could produce. That was what made the British Navy. Let them leave it alone; do not hamper it, do not advertise it, and do not try to sow dissensions among its splendid officers and men.

At this moment the Navy had the completest faith in its Commander-in-Chief, and that was absolutely necessary. He was the man who was going to do all the work when the fighting came on. The Navy had complete faith in the present Board of Admiralty because it knew perfectly well that naval opinion, not political or personal opinion, would guide it. With a Minister like Mr Balfour at its head the Navy knew that its honour was safe. He (Lord Beresford) advised their loldships and the country to trust implicitly in the Navy. The Navy had never failed the country yet through all the Joiig centuries during which it bad maintained our honour, and our safety. (Cheers.)

I ciwuift' leave the old folks dott, I'd batter bide a wee, Dad's got a cold, and Mam's not well, And pipes the irher e'e. I'll gang doon to the corner store, For woods' Great Peppermint Cure, £.nd Mum and Dad will "greet" no more; Aye—t.h«y 11 be richt for buxo. 1