THE BRITISH NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2458, 24 March 1909, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

THE HOME GOVERNMENT’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. HIGHEST APPRECIATION OF A GENEROUS OFFER. (Press Association.) • V> -.3 WELLINGTON, March 23. The Secretary of State for the Colonies has cabled to His Excellency The •Governor: “I should hasten to assure your Prime Minister That his message lias been received by me with highest appreciation of liis generous and -spontaneous oflior onibbhvlf of New Zealand. It null be laid before His Majesty Is Government;” A BRITISH NEWSPAPER’S QUESTION. NEW ZEALAND’S REPLY.. WELLINGTON, March 23. The ‘“London Standard” cabled to the Prime Minister, asking for of tlie Dominion’s offer, and the -reason for it. Sir Joseph Ward replied: “You ask me what -our offer is andvwhy we made it. . We offer the Motherland, without/condition, the free gift,.as soon as it can be built in British yards, of a first-class battleship. The type is left entirely To the Home authorities. Should later events show any need for it, New Zealand will offer again ia second warship of The .-same class, and the reason is this: We distant sons desire to stand beside the Sion mother of our race, and to the utmost of our resources prove to her and -to The world how dear to us is Britain’s name and greatness. We* recognise That ,Britain’s acknoivleciged supremacy of the seas goes for the maintenance of peace, and that any ■weakness, either in the Homeland -or abroad, makes what ought to be a dominant position a dangerous one. Sacrifices must be made to show competitive nations That, though separated by seas, we are in. reality one for the preservation of our Empire’s greatness.” STATEMENT -BY THE PRIME MINISTER. LEGISLATION WILL BE REQUIRED WELLINGTON, March 23. In reference To the offer of a battleship, Sir Joseph Ward .told a “New Zealand Times” representative to-night that legislation would be to give effect to the proposal, -so that the idea suggested in some quarters that the Government has departed from a democratic attitude in not consulting Parliament is not correct.

OPINION IN BRITAIN, NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER CONSIDERED MAGNIFICENT. LONDON, March 22. * All the newspapers announce by placard the report sent by Reuter’s Agency of the . New Zealand Government’s offer to supply the British Government with one Dreadnought fully armed, and another one if thought necessary.' Commenting on the subject, the “Pall Mall Gazette” declares that the magnificent offer should act as a stimulant to the Mother Country to place patriotism before part}'. The “Times” military correspondent, fearing that it is now impossible to sufficiently re-establish British naval supremacy, urges the raising of a million well-trained territorials. Brazil denies the statement that it is her intention to sell her Dreadnoughts to any Poiver, and declares them to be necessary for the protection of her own long coast. [lt was suggested that Britain should buy the Dreadnoughts, to prevent their being forestalled in the purchase by Germany.] The “Times,” referring to the political situation, says that the Premier, Air Aequitb, is defending his own or Sir Edward Grey’s policy, but that a compromise has been forced by recalcitrants.

Professor Byles suggests that the Commonwealth Government should appoint two Australian engineers to, watch the building of destroyers, and conduct their voyage to Australia. The knowledge thus gained would prove valuable in connection with Australian shipbuilding.

THE NEW GERMAN DREADNOUGHT. TO BE READY BEFORE THE OFFICIAL TIME. BERLIN,' March 22. The German cruiser Von der Tann ~ will- be- ready for sea .six months, before the official date. She cost £1,833,000, only £SOOO less than the battleship Nassau. FEELING IN AUSTRALIA. PATRIOTIC PRESS AND PEOPLE: ■' ! PETTIFOGGING POLITICIANS. . ■ - r SYDNEY, March 23. The “Sydney Morning Herald,” ’after referring to the evidences on -all sides, and expressed through every available channel, of the readiness of the great majority of Australians to commit themselves to- some considerable sacrifice in order to assist .the Mother Country in what they regard as a great difficulty, says: “The plain duty oi our statesmen is to assist, or compel Mr. Fisher to assist, a plan which will, enable Australia to rival the generosity of New Zealand,; and to do her. share in what we believe to be the cause of as well as safety.” , x .. . . • .. '• S .v ;.V : ; •, ,, „

The “Daily Telegraph.” declares: “New Zealand’s offer is a significant hint to the world at large ‘ that the oversea dominions are not to be content with lip-loyalty. There can be no question , it may be hoped, tliat Australia’s response will he equally emphatic.’ 5 At a private dinner given by Sir Harry Rawson, three Sydney gentlemen promised to give £IO,OOO each if a Dreadnought fund were opened-. The Lord Mayors of Sydney and Melbourne are acting in concert in arranging public meetings to forward the Dreadnought presentation proposal They are also communicating with the Mayors of other State capitals with a view to similar action.

MELBOURNE, March 23;

Air. Murray, Premier of 'Victoria, speaking on defence matters, said he was not apprehensive That Germany and Great Britain were going to fight. The German was a peace-loving fellow, who did net go about looking for “stoush.” ITo would like to see neither country mislead into a fight by war hysteria. When the occasion arose, the Mother Country was entitled to have from Australia the last man and fhe last penny for the defence of The Empire. Mr. Fisher, Premier of The Commonwealth, thinks the nuThod lie intends to suggest would better serve the purpose whereat all are aiming than the presentation of a battleship. Referring to New Zealand’s action, he said: “The circumstances of The Dominion are not the same as ours. For all-practical purposes the Dominion is relying implicitly on the Imperial Navy, and does not contemplate the establishment of a navy of her own as we do.” The Lord Mayor, in a reeling to the request of a deputation To call a Dreadnought meeting, declared: “Australia will not permit herself to be outdone by New Zealand.” BRISBANE, March 23.«

Mr. Kideton, Premier of Queensland, declared that he would be ashamed to associate himself with such a panic proposal as presenting a Dreadnought. He had 110 sort of sympathy with musichall patriotism, or feverish, -action. If necessary, let Britain float :&■ loan lor naval construction, but whatever was done let it be done with cool judgment.

THE PUBLIC AGITATION. APPRECIATION OF COLONIAL LOYALTY. United Press Association— Coptright. (Received March 23, 9.55 p.ni.) MELBOURNE, March 23. The Chamber of Commerce and the Employers’ Federation have adopted resolutions in favor of the gift of Dreadnoughts to Britain. LONDON, March 23. The debate 011 Mr. Balfour’s motion is fixed for March 29th. The newspapers state that Mr. Asquith,. Sir Edward Grey, and Mr. McKenna fought throughout for a- strong navy. Many petitions have been presented to the Lord Mayor for a city meeting to support Mr. Asquith’s Guildhall declaration.

The Sydney newspapers’ suggestion that the overseas dominions should offer a Dreadnought, Mr. Fisher’s eulogy of the spirit that proposed an Australian Dreadnought, and the Sydney citizens’ splendid offer at Sir Henry Rawson’s banquet are keenly appreciated. The naval question is dominating the Croydon election. Admiral Bowden Smith, interviewed, declared that there was no occasion for hysterics, but the situation was serious. Eight Dreadnoughts wore immediately indispensable, and eight of the Edward VII. and two of the Nelson type of warship would be valuable adjuncts, hoi several years dock accommodation had been insufficient.

SPEECH BY MR. ASQUITH. AN ATTEMPT TO MINIMISE THE CRISIS. ' (Received March 23j 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. In the House of Commons, while discussing in committee the vote fer officers and men of the navy, alter the Hon. George Wyndham and Sir Chas. Dilke had spoken, the latter deprecating unworthy panic and insisting upon our preponderance of pre-Dreadnought ships, Mr. Asquith raised an Opposition protest by describing the demand for a stronger navy as an extraordinary agitation of a very artificial Kind, and raised, cheers by declaring that between ourselves ond Germany there is no friction and no unfriendliness, but a mutual sense of what is due to the independence of the two nations and a common feeling that they must in the great matters of national defence primarily consider their own interests. He asked for a suspension of the judgment upon Britain’s informal communication to the German Government In 1900 until Sir Edward Grey shortly makes a full statement. Though the communications did not result, in all , cases, in bringing about all that Britain could have desired, the Government had nothing to complain of. (Received March 23, 11.17 p.m.)

Mr. Asquith continued: He next protested against what lie described as the absurd .and mischievous legends regarding Britain’s naval unpreparedness. More unpatriotic and unscrupulous misrepresentation of the actual situation had never come under Iris knowledge. He cited figures to show what Britain’s strength would be in 1912 compared with Germany’s, and appealed to the nation to believe that, whatever party is in power, the first care of every statesman worthy of the name will be to maintain, intact, unassailable, and unchallengeable, that naval superiority,

whereon the independence and freedom of the nation depended. -' ./ -f The speech evoked loud. Ministerialist cheers.

MR. BALFOUR’S VIGOROUS REPLY A keeaTgriticism. Merch 23, 11.17 p.ni.) LONDON, March 23. Mr. Balfour made a vigorous reply. He said that no one would deny that the country was safe now. What the Opposition affirmed was that -danger would begin in 1910 and increase in 1911. He pointed out that Messrs As-' quiiSi and McKenna’s speeches last week showed that it was impossible to view with indifference the foreign Drcaclntmghts, land, while pre-Dreadnought Ships were useful, the country would; not consider the position safe if foreign Powers had ships of a -better type in almost equal or superior numbers; Ha added: “Because the -Government will not budge a liair’s-breadtli from a policy involving great national peril I take the course I have announced.”—Referring to his motion -of censure.. ,

COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT . WILL NOT OFFER A DREADNOUGHT. ' THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA WILL. Late cables received at 1.30 this morning state that the Commonwealth Government has definitely decided not to offer a Dreadnought, but the proposal continues to receive enthusiastic public support. New Zealand’s action has roused a strong spirit of emulation, and £55,000 was subscribed'or promised in Sydney within 24 hours.

LORD PLUNKET’S OPINION. 4. NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN INSTANCE OF PRIDE IN THE EMPIRE; At his reception by the .set-tiers at Tuparoa yesterday morning, His Excellency the Governor made his first public reference to tlie action of the New Zealand Government in offering to provide two first-clas battleships for the British navy. Addressing the residents, Lord Plunket said that it would seem not alone unnecessary, but almost an insult, to talk to them of loyalty, as he had always found that that was one of the first principles of the people of the Dominion. Many men had gone forth from New Zealand to fight for_ the Queen, and, in past time the Maoris on. these shores had also done so. He might be allowed to mention one groat and never-to-be-forgotten instance of their pride in the Empire. On the previous day he received a wire from the Premier asking him to cable to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that 111 view of the present naval situation, the New Zealand Government had decided to offer the Imperial Government a first-class battleship of the most modern type, and a second ship if circumstances required. This was, continued Lord Plunket, the first opportunity he had had to speak, of, this; splendid offer, and he would like to express his admiration and pride in this magnificent portion of the Empire. It might he thought easy to explain the offer by the fact that the people of New Zealand realised that their best protection was the British navy, but he felt sure that the offer had been made from far higher motives. It was the feeling of the Government and, he felt sure, the feeling of the people, that they would have one great Empire, and were determined to stick together. The offer was now being discussed in the British Empire, and also in other countries, and he was perfectly certain that every other part of theEmpire would be stirred by the magnificent offer of Now Zealand, who bad been the. first to step in at the beginning of the unfortunate South African wai/ and was now again the first to offer a complete answer to the unfair statement that the colonies talk plenty of loyalty, but are not- prepared to make a practical demonstration of it.

FEELING IN POVERTY BAY. mr. w. d. s. Macdonald’s OPINION. Mr. W. D. 6. MacDonald, M.P., on being questioned by a representative of the “Gisborne Times,” said that he heartily approved of the Government’s actino. New Zealand, he pointed out, is a wealthy country band is practically dependent on its exports, which are realised in the markets of the .world, and for the safeguaring of which it is entirely dependent upon the. British navy. Up to the present the Dominion had not contributed anything like its full proportion towards the maintenance of the navy, considering it was so essential for the protection of our commerce. The best feature of the offer, be considered, was the manner in which the Government had risen to the occasion, and lie remarked that it must be quite clear to all thinking persons that any steps that might have been taken in ascertaining the views of representatives, besides causing delay, would not have helped the matter a bit. The Premier, in taking the responsibility of bis action had shown his statesmanship. Mr. K. S. Williams, chairman of the Waiapu County Council, sent a telegram to Sir. Joseph Ward, offering the congratulations of the Council on the action of the Government- in offering two battleships to the Mother Country. GISBORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL’S ACTION. A RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL. \t the meeting of the Gisborne Bor-, oucrh Council last evening, the Mayor moved “That the Council approve of the statesmanlike action-of the. Government iu offering a battleship to the British Government in the present crisis. There was, lie said, no question but that matters at Home bad arrived at a critical position, and it was hoped that the action of New Zealand would show that the hearts and the. blood of the people were with the people of the Obi Country. He had no hesitation in saying that if England and Germany came into conflict-England could wipe Germany from the sea ; but if Germany once’ got the power to coerce other nations England might be outstripped on the sea. It was_pleasing to see the Prime Minister had made such a .noble •offer in the present crisis. Cr. Pcttie said he was filled with pleasure when he read of the prompt action taken by the Prime Minister, and that the Council should

express hearty appreciation of what had been done.

Ors. Williams, Somervell, Mann, Sheridan. and Sawyer supported the motion. Cr. D-arton said he could not sec why the question should be discussed by the Council. He would not say lie had any opinion against the action of the Government, but the question was not Council business.

The motion was then put and carried, Cr. Darton only voting against it.

PROMINENT AUCKLANDERS’ /VIEWS. : " ' DIVERSITY OF OPINION. (Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 23. Mr. A. E. M.P., when interviewed to-day on New Zealand’s offer of a Dreadnought, saicl : “I feel more in favor of increasing cur annual subsidy to the navy than presenting a battleship. I also think that the Prime Minister should have consulted the people through their representatives before taking this stop.’’’ Mr. C. H. Poole, ALP., in answer to the question regarding the action of the Cabinet, said : “Tlie decision of the Government respecting tlie gift of a Dreadnought to the British navy came as a surprise to me. As it takes about two years to build a. Dreadnought and about two hours to consult members of Parliament, T consider that the Cabinet would have ’been well advised had they referred this matter for endorsement to' the representativs of the people. it seems to rue an anomaly to talk about making a.-gift of one or two battleships to the British Government, while I do not think we have at the present time 10,000 stand of modern arms in the Dominion for the defence of the land in which. >we live.”

When .asked for his opinion on the offer,' the Hon. E. Mitclielson said: > he proposition of the Premier to provide funds to build one or more Dreadnoughts is one that will probably commend itself to a. considerable majority of the people within the Dominion. At the same time the cost, involving such a large .sum of money, should have first been either brought before Parliament, or tlie opinion of members, of Parliament first obtained, as all expenditure must naturally come before Parliament, apd. it would not be pleasant if tlie House refused to ratify the proposal. This risk could easily have been avoided if a confidential memo, had been sent to each member before making the matter - public. Personally I would have preferred increasing the naval subsidy to- £150.000 or even £200,000 a year rather than pay such a large sum as 03,000,000 to £4,000,000 which the offer involves.”

Bishop Neligan, on being interviewed, said: “I think it is splendid the way New Zealand has risen to her Imperial duty in the offer of this battleship. I should caution the public against tlie phrase used in . cable messages about tremendous excitement in London. If the- phrase "is correct, probably the crisis is not as serious as it might be imagined, because London does not get tremendously excited over anything. If real and ” grave, London and England generally would be calm.” Bishop Lenihan declined, when asked, to express any opinion, holding that tlie matter was outside of his province.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC BOROUGH COUNCIL. A SUGGESTION OF COMPULSORY SERVICE. FEILDING, March 23. A special meeting of the Feilding Borough Council was called this afternoon to discuss the Government’s offer to the British Government. On the motion of Crs. Atkinson and Cobbe, tlie following resolution was carried unanimously—“ That the Council strongly approves of the action of the Government in offering to provide the cost of a warship for the British navy.” The Council also decided to call a public meeting to discuss the advisable--11 ess of introducing some form of compulsory military training. MR. BUICK’S OPINION. NO HURRY.

PALMERSTON N., March 23. Interviewed by a “Manawatu limes ' representative regarding the offer of Dreadnoughts to the Home Government, Mr. Buick, M.P., said he would like to know more of the circumstances prompting the ofEer, but on the facts before the public lie did not think the Go\eminent was iustified in its precipitation- The action was probably a step in the right direction, but the Government should have consulted Parliament, and there was no lmrry till Parliament met in the ordinary course.

CANTERBURY NAVY LEAGUE.

HEARTY ENDORSEMENT

CHRISTCHURCH, March 23. The committee of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League has decided to express their hearty concurrence in and full endorsement of the Prime Minister’s action in offering to supply one Dreadnought, or, if necessary, two, to the British Government. "•

LABORITE HYSTERICS.

VIOLENT ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 23. Mr. Hart, president of the Trades and Labor Council, interviewed, made a violent attack on the Government. He said the Premier’s offer was little short of a delirious farce. In view of the retrenchment proposals, the Cabinet’s offer came like a bolt from the blue. A callow colony was offering to provide her portly mother with a protector, which she could not afford to pay for. Sir Joseph A\ard, while intoxicated with jingoism, voted two millions to go out of the country, while reproductive, works were languishing for the want of support. The Government’s gigantic piece of lolly was opposed to every principle of representative government, and the. masses would resent this impetuous piece of seh(dorification on the part of the Premier. In its wiki delirium, the Cabinet had displayed a suicidal tendency which would, alienate the sympathy of the working classes throughout the Dominion. SOUTHLAND OPINIONS. A, CRITICAL'"NAVY' LEAGUER. INVERCARGILL, March 23. Air T D. Pearce, president ot the Southland Branch of the Navy League, said that lie had not been prepared to hear there' was a crisis to warrant the sudden expenditure by New Zealand o( from cnie and a-lialf to two millions. He could only conclude that such an nil p receiiclentcd and unconstitutional act as that of voting nearly two nnl- •

lions without consulting the people’s representatives a step tantamount to raising a loan and incurring an annual charge of sixty to seventy thousand sterling interest, was warranted by the situation. Nothing else could justify the action of the Cabinet. The Southland Branch of the League was. always advocating a large subsidy, so he thought they would support the Premier. Mr. Pearce favors the institution of a “naval tax,” so: as to educate people to a sense' of their responsibilites. The Mayor (Mr. Scandrett) said tersely: “Them are times when those in authority must act without' authority. The Prime Minister, and the Ministry as a whole, should anticipate the judgment of the country in any great, crisis.” After reviewing the situation in Germany, lie added, -“I think the action of I the Government should be supported by Parliament and people. THE GERMAN CONSUL’S VIEW'S. ONLY A “SCARE.” AUCKLAND, March 5-3. Mr. Carl Seegnar, Consul for Geiy, many in New Zealand, was interviewed this evening regarding the offer made by the Government to provide a battle- 1 ship. “I know nothing of battleships,” he said. “They are not in my line.”' j Pressed to state his views on the gen- ;; era! subject of naval supremacy in the < light of recent developments at Home, j .the German Consul said: “I have seen many 'scares’ —Japanese, Russian, | Dutch, Boer, all kinds of scares, and I |- have got used to them. I do not believe,” Mr. Seegnar went on, “that j. there will be a war between Germany > and England in our time.” j “And what do you take of the •< suggestion that Germany has designs p in connection with the Pacific?” Air. •Seegnar was asked. “Dr. Irmer, the German Consul-Gen-eral in Australia,” he replied, “has already stated that the spheres of influence in the Pacific as between Germany and Great Britain were fixed long ago.” Speaking further, Mr. Seegnar expressed the opinion that the press of both countries was a great deal to blame for “scares” as at present existed. “In short,” he added, “the whole thing is a fuss about nothing.” More he would not say, dismissing an inquiry as to his opinion of the action of the Cabinet in offering a battleship to the Old Country with a remark to the effect that that was a private matter.