A CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 9

A CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.

Sir, —J a his explanation at tho Upper Hutt, tho Hon. 'Premier claimed that his Cabinet offer of a battleship to tho liritish Government was constitutionally correct, having been made at n crisis; adding, what was obvious, that his Ministry staked their political existence-on tho ratification of their action by Parliament or tho conntry. It is true that tho Executive, must, at any timo of real crisis, excreiso tho responsibility which tho occasion demands, but in tho present instanco thoro was no crisis, no urgent emergency, and beyond a certain sensational effect which ho points to, no public interest was served. Did the honourable gentleman expect, by his offer, to frighten tho German Umpire, or was it his intention to then assist Mr. Balfour over his voto of censure; neither may havo been intended, but the only practical'result has been that whether Ministers' action is approved or not, they havo committed tho country to honourably endorse a step which was not urgent and which should certainly havo been first debated and approved by Parliament. Their action, therefore, seems to have been an abuso of power, and au outrage upon Constitutional Government. When announcing their decision, Sir Joseph is reported to have explained that tho crisis ho meant aroso on a debate in tho Houso of Commons, when both sides had agreed tiir.fc tho British Naval ascendancy was challenged by tho activity in German dockyards and by that Empire's programme to complete 13 ships by the end of 1911. No greater disaster could overtake our country or civilisation than that Britain should loso tho command of tho seas. England is at present secure in her strength; her responsible Ministers recognise tho threatened danger, but unstirred by nervous terrors, they intimate, with tho rcscrvo becoming tha'r position, that they will, in duo course, deal with the question on tho Estimates next July.

Turning to tho public cablegrams of the date on which this gift was announced, tho selection of sensational news is evident, and would seem to be especially concocted to create an effect throughout Australasia. Two days before, Mr. Balfour had given notice of his vote of censuro on tho naval question, and the Opposition whips would accordingly bo at work. The London Press Agent may not havo been got at, but on that day we had two columns cabled well calculated to arouso British pugnacity. Wo wero told in this spirit of the launch with "great secrecy" of a 19,000-ton cruiser and tho names, in deprecatory contrast, aro given of tho threo latest British cruisers each being 1750 tons loss, as if that was all important. Inconsistently with this reported secrecy, wo were further stirred by being told, on the reported authority, of the Berlin newspapers, that jn Wilholmshaven dockyards tho men are - working day and night. Two retired admirals aro next made use of, the one being moved to anger, while the other, being more realistic, regarded an expenditure of fifty millions as a flcabito to tho loss by tho invasion ho foresaw. Three patriotic leagues, with tho London Chamber of Commerce- had, it was said, started arranging a campaign of Navy agitation. _' Tho . authority of newspapers and of rarious political speeches wero quoted; and then the relief which n great shipbuilding programme would open for tho unemployed, was mado tho most of. But when all this is measured up, it contains really little solid 'information; still, by ;i fortunate coincidence, this.budget of stuff came to hand on tho same morning as that of Sir Joseph's announcement. It per'tiapa so served a purpose, but at least it was here published with heavy headlines, fivo inches of double column, and so, by its bulk and tho suggestion it convoyed, it probably helped to scare tho nervous and assist the careless to tho desired conclusion, and it also assisted to allay critical examination. Presumably Sir Joseph Ward intends to borrow the £2,250,000 which a fully equipped battleship is now said to cost. On recont experience, ho will probably have to pay 4 por cent for this money, it would have cost the British Government loss than 3 per cdnt., only they pa; for their warships out of revenue Tho life of such u battleship is admittedly now only 12 years, so we will or ought to, repay tho cost within 10 yo.vs • ° ? /i 0, l?- 111 ? su PP° si "E Government' can invest tho Sinking Fund at 4 per cent., tiio ?""™, n , t" tho colony will thus bo U7i,dd7, in addition to tho hundred thousand to which we are otherwise already committed. '

I hero ofter no opinion as to the extent of our loyal obligations to the Motherland tor Imperial defence; it is great, but tho question was not an immediate one, and will bo at octed by the early- courses of events. Meantime, this present committal was of such importance that tho amount should attertull consideration, have siire'v beeir decided by tho representatives of tl.e people m Parliament assembled. No crisis existed; at any stage, calling for Cabinet action and there was no warrant, under the actual circumstances, to justify this instance of Ministerial arrogant presumption. Olio further feature. By the reported exprossions of opinion on tho part of vu-Vis Australian public men, it would appear thsit there- was more influence moving them iha'i what had been publicly cabled Stiil and be that as it may,. should not our Premier havo exchanged views as to this intended step with his compeers wit Jim "ho Wo, awl in the true spirit of c * Imperial fraternity have tendered ™ sistance agreed upon in joint and fntndlv unison and offer.—l am, etc ' " aJy April G. JN '°- DUTHIE -