THE BRITISH NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2480, 20 April 1909, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

CABLE NEWS.

THE PRIME MINISTER AT' GLASGOW. CHARACTERISES” CAWDOR MEMORANDUM AS ELECTIONEERING PAMPHLET. United Press, Association —Copyright. LONDON, April IS. Speaking at Glasgow, the Prime Mimister, Mr Asquith, characterised the Cawdor memorandum as an electioneering pamphlet. Had the Liberals proceeded on its'"lines, they would have been in possession of an unnecessary number of backward specimens of ships. In a constantly-progvcssive family of vessels those, of the Neptune’s class were 30 per cent, better than the original Dreadnought. “At this moment,” he said, “we may be on the eve of a new development in naval construction which may vitally affect the naval policy. Hence it is undesirable to order contingent Dreadnoughts immediately. The sole issue between our critics and ourselves is whether we bind ourselves to order extra vessels at once or leave the question to be determined later in the year. The magnificent colonial offers have enhanced the lino generous spirit in which they were made. Nothing could ho more gracious and tactful, and indicate a more generous and patriotic conception of the common obligations of the Empire. Speaking without consultation with his colleagues, he suggested the possibility of a conference of the colonies and the Mother Country regarding the future respective shares in the great inter-dependent work of naval defence. MELBOURNE, April 19. Senator Pearce declines to publish tho Commonwealth communication to t-lic Admiralty. THE DREADNOUGHT OFFER. FINDS FAVOR IN LYTTELTON. [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 18. A well-attended meeting at Lyttelton on Saturday almost unanimously passed a motion approving of the Government’s offer of >a Dreadnought. _Mr Laurenson, M.P., in an able, logical, and convincing speech, suggested that the interest and sinking fund on a loan for the Dreadnought be raised by reducing the income tax exemption to £250, and by increasing probate duties.