THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3150, 30 March 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

" AN INFLATED SCARE." BRITISH NAVY IMPREGNABLE. Received March 29, 8.25 a.m LONDON, Marchj2B. The Right Hon. W. Runciman (President of the Board of Education), spsaking at Colchester, [denounced the artificially inflated scare regarding naval matters. He declared that the Rritish navv was impregnable, that there were no German Dreadnoughts yet afloat, and that Germany had only two-fifths of Britain's number of available sailors. The Government's motto with regard to naval affairs was, he added, "Safety without superfluity."' NATIONAL SAFETY ASSURED. Received March 29, 8.40 a.m. LONDON. March 28. Dr. Macnamara, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, denied that there was any likelihood of Germany getting ahead of England by April, 1912. The margin occasionally was, possibly, small, but the pre-Dread nought fleet and the Government's programme fully assured the national safety. SIR PERCY SCOTT'S VIEWS. HITTING POWERS BETTER THAN NUMBERS. Received March 29, 8.40 a.m. LONDON, March 28. Admiral Sir Percy Scot, commanding the Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet, in the course of a speech declared that the value of fleets depends more on the hitting powers than the numbers. An Indomitable with eight guns made doabJe the number of hits of a Dreadnought with ten guns. A NOBLE OFFER. Received March 29, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, March 29.

fhe Lord Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Sydney, has cabled to Sir Joseph Ward, congratulating him up-on-the noble offer to Britain, and adding: "Australia has no alternative but to follow your lead."

The following cablegram from the Lord Mayor of Sydney has been received by the Prime Minister''On behalf of Sydney, offer warmest con- j gratulations on your noble offer to i the Empire, your practical, bold, j and prompt poiicy, pi'oclaiming to the , world the Dominion's love of the Motherland. Cost will be lightly borne by filial affection, and repaid by Empire's gratitude and world's admiration. We commend your splendid example, and Australia has no a.'fcerna'ive but to lollow lead set. All Britain's children should do likewise. May the Dominion pros- j per.—Allan Tayor." | The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) has despatched the following message to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, through his Excellency the Governor: —"The Government and people of New Zealand are much gratified at the acceptance of the offer. Their sole desire is to assist the Empire as far as New Zealand's resources permit, in maintaining its national supremacy. They feel that the Imperial Government can best determine what shape and time of contribution will promote that end, and therefore, as desired by the Imperial Government, the New Zealand Government will await details in despatch.—J. G. Ward." KEIR HARDIE AGAIN. Received March 29, ,11.50 p.m. LONDON, March 29. Mr Keir Hardie, speaking at Merthyr Tydvil, said the effect of Mr Asquith's speech in the House of Commons was such as he had never seen before, resulting in a scare, and making it easy for tne Government to beat down the Opposition in their own ranks to further expenditure in regard to the navy. He announced that 25 members ot the Labour Party were going to Germany at Whitsuntide to tell the Germans "You and we have no quarrels." NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. COMMENT BY THE "SPECTATOR." Received March 29, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, March 29. The newspaper "Spectator" declares that no part of the Empire will grudge New Zealand the honour of leading the way. It is appropriate that the Island Dominion should be the first to turn her thoughts to ships.