THE RETICENCE OF ENGLAND’S PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2517, 2 June 1909, Page 4

THE RETICENCE OF ENGLAND’S PREMIER.

[To The Editor.]

Sir, —In our cable message of May 2oth. it is stated that Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, refused to confirm the report, that the Government had decided to build eight Dreadnoughts. Now, what are we to believe ? That the English Government has not decided to build eight Dreadnoughts, or that the Premier refuses to let us into his confidence: if the latter, we may well ask a number of questions, for the policy of nations generally, is to show the world their strength. If the former reason, that England has not seen fit to saddle horse.r with such an expenditure, then let us hope that the Home representatives see some clear way out of the difficulty; th3t terms can be made with the enemy, and that Mr Asquith is just the man to make a just estimate of the situation : that- he can put liis thumb, as it were, on the German life pulse, marking accurately when it beats well, high or faintly. For those who would like to take a hopeful view of the matter, there is this to be said with them, that the school master is abroad in Germany, just as he is in England: that Germany each vear becomes internally discontented' with her oppressive taxation. Can it-be said that the Germans bear distinct animosity to us? Is cheap labor at the bottom of the rivalry with us in trade? If the German demanded a living wage, would lie lie a fair competitor’ with us ? From a Dominion point of view, we think these questions could be answered because our people* do ask for a living wage. M hether from a capitalistic or a labor standpoint, it would be a very nice point for specidation, as to how tar, the federation of labor will act in dispelling the " ar c!0lt ' 1 - 1 “KARORO."