THE BRITISH NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2465, 1 April 1909, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

THE CENSURE DEBATE. NEWSPAPER~~COMMENTS. ■ , <• V. United Press Association —Copyright. LONDQN, March 30. The “Times” says that Mr. Asquith’s candour in disclosing the perils of the situation is in the eyes of the country the brightest point in the history of his administration, but liis proposed measures are indefensible in the light of Sir Edward Grey’s very lucid statement justifying every criticism by serious students of the situation. The cumulative effect of Sir Edward Grey’s survey should convince the Government of the necessity of having eight Dreadnoughts constructed at the earliest possible date. In the House of Commons, Mr. Reginald McKenna, First- Lord of the Admiralty, in reply to Sir H. Norman, Liberal member for Wolverhampton South, hinted at certain preparations for contingent Dreadnoughts, including designs already in hand.

The “Westminster Gazette” commends. the Government for adhering to the Estimates. It emphasises the need for a sufficiently wide margin of security to save us from the perpetual scrutiny of our. neighbors. “We must,” adds the “Gazette,” “replace the present fleet by in a longer or shorter time. We cannot flatter ourselves that we have any superior resources enabling lis to make up for lost time if we delay too long.” THE POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. VIEW OF STATE PREMIERS. ’SYDNEY, March 31. Mi\ Wade, Premier of New South Wales, has wired to Mr. Fisher, Premier of the Commonwealth,, that in ae event of the Commonwealth not agreeing to increase the naval subsidy, but deciding to present a Dreadnought, New South Wales and Victoria are prepared to- find their proportion of the cost on a population basis. Mr,- Kidston, Premier of Queensland, informed Mr. Wade that the Queensland Government was unable to agree to the proposal to increase the navy subsidy. He considers the Federal Government should lie allowed to carry out the duties of defence without meddling. THE CANADIAN POSITION. ' % . SPEECH BY SIR WILFRID . LAURIER. (Received March 31, 9.45 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 31. Mr. Foster, in the Dominion House of Commons, urggd that Canada should contribute regularly to the cost of the navy. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said he preferred to follow the Australian Commonwealth’s example and provide the nucleus of a local 1 navy. Perhaps, in building a navy, Germany was preparing to do to Britain on the sea what she had done to France on land. No Britisher could be indifferent to such a prospect. Though the danger was not imminent, we must be vigilant. He would be prepared to stump the country in the interests of the defence of the Empire.

Ultimately, after the party leaders had conferred, a resolution was adopted declaring that the House would ]cordially approve of any necesary expenditure on the speedy organisation of a Canadian naval service which would co-operate with the Imperial navy as the Admiralty suggested at the last Imperial conference. The Toronto “Globe” states that no unanimously precise course is to he taken. Canada will welcome .a frank statement as to what naval defence is ■ best for Canada and the Empire. NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER. GRACEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY LORD CREWE. (Received March 31, 10 p.m.) LONDON, March 31. At the- opening of the Victorian Agency-General, the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies, said that it was impossible to allude to the- gift of -a Dreadnought without feelings of emotion and gratitude. The Government and the country had been profoundly touched by this evidence of goodwill and sympathy. Loyalty to the Empire, he was certain, could not be closer than that founded on common sympathy such as had been shown, first by New Zealand and now by Australia in noble contributions to' the general defence, of the Empire. SPEECH BY.MR. BALFOUR. ! A TRIBUTE TO COLONIAL PATRIOTISM. (Received March 31, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, March 31. Mr. Balfour, addressing ten thousand people in the Agricultural Hall, said that nothing ivas, more moving and magnificent than the unsolicited icsponse of New Zealand. With a population equal -to that of five out of 28 London boroughs, her gift ,)vas equivalent to more per head than the annual taxation, per;head in Britain. If such - gifts were accepted, Britain could not refuse .the oversea States prcfcionco. A .-fiscal : change.' was now inevitable. A now system must- grant what the. whole constellation op sister .States had steadily, persistently, and patiently year- after demanded. 1* ■ : • ' V " ' . . ' : //■'

THE AUSTRALIAN OFFER. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. (Received March 31, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, March 31. All the newspapers display New South Wales’ and Victoria’s offer. , Tlic “Standard” says “that the value of the Australasian gifts sinks almost into insignificance besides the moral effect of their noble partnership in the work of Imperial defence. The “Daily Mail” says that the splendid -offer has been received with the warmest gratitude, and indicates the enormous extent of the resources, in men and money, of the Empire. The “Daily Graphic,” applauding Now South Wales and Victoria, adds that the Commonwealth realises that it.is .impossible to have a voice in the control of the Imperial navy without Imperial federation; for which colonial opinion is yet unprepared. . GENEROUS OFFER BY AUSTRALIAN BANKS. DECLINED BY COMMONWEALTH PREMIER. ' : (Received April 1, 12.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 31. It transpires that the Bank of New South Wales and the Commercial Banking Company offered Mr. Fisher two millions at per cent to purchase a Dreadnought, but the offer was declined. AN AUSTRALIAN OFFER. A MISCONCEPTION. (Received April 1, 12.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 31. The announcement in the English cable messages that Victoria one! New South Wales have ottered a Dreadnought is evidently due to a misconception. MELBOURNE, March 31. A conference took place to-day by telephone between the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria in regard to their offer to the Prime Minister to bear their share on -a per capita basis, of the cost of presenting a Dreadnought. Mr. Murray, Premier of Victoria, subsequently stated that the position was a somewhat difficult one. The Cabinet would decide at its meeting to-morrow what future steps should be taken. No formal reply had been received from the Prime Minister, nor had the other States announced their attitude, although it i.s understood they are disinclined to contribute. He would have a- further conference with' New South Wales to-morrow.