THE EMPIRE AID THE SEA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3532, 24 May 1912, Page 5

THE EMPIRE AID THE SEA.

DOMINION AND THE NEW ZEALAND A CRITICAL ARTIGLE- , WHAT IS THE ADMIRALTY'S POSITION? [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTEIGHTJ (Received May 23, 9.20 p.rn.) LONDON, May 23. The Manchester Guardian questions the Government’s right to as’k for the New Zealand to be stationed in British waters. The cruiser, it says, was given avhen the naval scare was at its height, under a complete misapprehension of the facts. All the prophecies of ruin that were made have since been acknowledged as ridiculous. _lt is a mistake to once more give New Zealand the idea that Britain’s naval supremacy is endangered, and, moreover, it is inconsistent with Mr. Churchill’s policy of encouraging the colonies to make 1 themselves responsible for their own defence. The plain explanation seems to bo that the cruiser is one of the finest afloat, and the Admiralty coveted it for Home waters and grudged, it going to New Zealand, where it is unlikely to he wanted except for exhibition purposes. It is doubtful whether the Admiralty’s policy of concentrating the best ships m Home waters is not being carried too far. If there is trouble in China it might be a great convenience to have a first-rate cruiser in Australian waters

OPPOSITION IN AUSTRALIA.

WHAT SIR JOSEPH WARD THINKS. “THE SPIRIT OF THE GIFT.” SYDNEY, Mav 2.< Sir Joseph Ward, in an interview regarding New Zealand’s offer of the battleship New Zealand to the Admiralty, to dispose of as it thought proper, said there was only one way on which the greatest service could be rendered to the Empire in the matter of overseas defence. That was by having the fullest and most effective strength concentrated on a point where in all probability a decisive trial, if war eventuates, would take place. He was pleased that the ship would be placed where the Admiralty considers it would render the best service. He was pleased that the British people, through the Admiralty, had so literally interpreted the spirit of the gift. . P Mr. A. Fisher, Prime Minister of Australia, being interviewed regardinc" New Zealand’s action, said that .as-far as Australia was concerned no .change was impending. He might have "somethin g to say later. It is stated in other quarters that there is no intention of following the example of New Zealand and handing the battleship Australia to the Admiralty..

FEELING IN CANADA.

MAKING STRIKING HEADWAYWHAT THE CHANCES ARE. (Received May 23, 11 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. The Times’ Toronto correspondent says that feeling in faTor of an adequate naval contribution has made striking headway recently. After Sir Wilfrid Launer s defeat and the apparent subsidence of the acute feeling between Britain and Germany, Canada seemed to be returning to her old indifference, but it is now apparent that- the arguments in fa\oi of ani Imperial Navy had sunk deep into the minds of the people, and the chances are that the ultimate policy will include a fleet of cruisers naval colleges in the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, with battle-cruisers and Dreadnoughts to give the Navy an Imperial value, the whole constitute" an integral portion of the Imperial fleet.

THE MEDITERRANEAN CONTROL. FRENCH FEARS AND FACTS. TRIPLICE AND THE EASTERN WATERS. (Received Alav 23, 11 p.m.) k PARIS, Alay 23 Tlie fact that Messrs Asquith and Churchill and Lord Kitchener are to confer at Malta in regard to defence matters is interpreted to mean that Britain is in nowise leaving the guardianship of the Mediterranean exclusively to France, and the indications of British strategical concentration m the North Sea do not prevent- the. effective protection of the Empn e s communications and strategical ianta"e grounds, which in reality are unaffected by the problems which Canada, Australia, and New Zealand an preparing to face to-morrow. Nevertheless, the French newspapers are apprehensive lest tlie action of Italy in the Algean Sea will ultimately be utilised by the Inplice to the advantage of its constituent partners as far as the Eastern Mediterranean is concerned- .