OFFICIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12184, 27 March 1909, Page 5

OFFICIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Per Press Association ) WELLINGTON, March 26. The Premier received the followitig cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, through His Excellency the. Governor:— In'further reply to your telegram 22nd March, I desire you to express to - Sir Joseph Ward and to your Government in the warmest "terms the feeling of appreciation and gratitude with which His Majesty's Government have 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 ba made on the national resources in the following year. The offer of the Government of New Zealand to boar with that period the cost of -providing cne first-class battleship or the latest type and of a second of the same type should subsequent events' show it to be necessary is most gratefully accepted by' His Majesty's Government. Your Government wilt doubtless understand that it is impossible to enter into details by telegram, but you will receive at an early date a full communication by despatch. As His Majesty's Government desires to consult with the Government of New Zealand as to the time it may become appropriated to give effect to their public spirited proposal so far as the coming financial year is concerned, the provisions and powers for which sanction is being askod in the naval estimates now be,- , fore Parliament affords ample security.