The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1909. BY WHAT RIGHT?

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 587, 16 August 1909, Page 6

The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1909. BY WHAT RIGHT?

When Sir Josßpg Wasp pleclgei. this country to the offer pf a "Dreadnought, or two i{ necessary," even those who dis : agreed with the manner of the offer approvecl the icjea of expressing New Zealand's willingness to assist thq' , . Mother Country to tha utmost ljmite of her power. those who thought the pense tp which the Ponjinion bad beep committed unwarranted by the circiim? stances, and who made protest on that account againet the enormous commitment of the country in the 'unconstitutional manner. followed, did not press their protests .as they might have done because of the fear that their protest on a .point of principle might be misconstrued into a.reluctance to share tbe full burden and responsibilities of Empire. : The country having, been pledged by its Government, it was generally felt that it

would rob tho action of much of its value to enter into a serious disputation as to the course of proceduro followod and as to thc : amount of the offer. At the same time most people who troubled to give tho matter serious thought could not fail to, realise that the expenditure to which •the Qountry had been committed, though lightly made, : was no light thing, and tisir loyalty, to tjao Mother Country, cud

to the Dominion was none the less for their recognition of what the offer really raoant. From tho- manner in which Sin Joseph Ward's offer was received wo felt that tho Home Government, while quito properly appreciative, had no intention of accepting it in the form proposed. This did not imply any reflection on the poople of this country, or on the Govornmont. It was merely that tho Homo Government realised that if Now Zealand was willing to do this magnificent thing, which was not required to bo dono, it would no doubt bo willing to do something which, whilo costing no moro in actual cash, would bo of greater valuo in eho national scheme of defence which the naval authorities appoar to have then had under consideration.

It has been amply demonstrated since the pffor was made that naval exports attach moro importance to the local navy idea than to the olfor of Dreadnoughts, an'd it would seem that thoir dosiro is that New Zealand's eoneational offer should bo voluntarily changed. Instead of a Dreadnought to bo presented to Britain, it is suggested that wo should build a cruiser or two to be a part of tho Empire's Navy, but to bo tho nuclou.B of a Now Zealand fleet. Oqe can qasily undorstand that apart from tho strategical value of this schomo from a naval standpoint, the effect, in bringing homo to this country a proppr recognition of tho Bponsibilitics of naval dofenco would bo enormous. It is not our purposo, ever, to touch pn this aspect of tho matter just now, but rather to draw attcri- J tion to tho remarkable attitude adpptcd by Sin Joseph Ward. If the cable messages a,rq to bo bolioved, the Prime Minister, having mado his sensational otter, appears dotdrminod to insist that it shall be accepted. Despite tho published views of the experts, wo are told that " ... Sir Joseph ..Ward's declared opinion regarding Dreadnought's shows that New. Zealand will adhere to her offer in its en-. tirety."t If this means anything, it means that the Peime Mijjisteb is insisting that New Zealand's offer of a Dreadnpughj; at a post of something like two miilipns must be acQeptcd, or-f-\vhat 1 The people of N,ew. Zqala.nd acquiescpd in tho Dreadnought offer mainly because ; thpy thought .it might be pnerajly speaking, held the view that the occasion called fpr a striking demonstra.r tibn of loyalty to the Empire. Jf tho Home Government say the Dreadnought i§ not* necessary and they dp not want it, the people of New Zealand are pot likely to take offence &t being relieved of a part ;of the heavy expenditure involved. Why

then should Sir Joseph Ward insist on its acceptance? What right has,he to in.r sisfc on anything , ! Does he think that jt will make him look foolish if the offer is not accepted jn the. form proposed by him, and is he so regardless ; of the pockets pf the taxpayers of the country that to .''save his o\vn face" he will take froni them a huge sum which the Home authorities dp'not;think gecessary ? Wo should hppe that-the' Prime Ministerwould rise superior to such petty considerations as his own personal feelings where great (national ■.interests ..are con-, perned. What right has he to_ set his opinions pn naval ■ .■defence against. tho'so of the naval experts? What right has he ■eyen;;.'to;.sfy:'.w^t-.New ; would prefer withoufc:firaiconsuliing the people, or. their ■ ! reprcsciita,tiyes in..... Parliar nionti ( The people 1 acquiesced in hje previous jinpulsive action bi;cau?e' of the speci3,i,;c}rpumstiipceß,:.bu|, linleps;,.' wo : are much'mistalsen^.th.eyTwill up ? certain manner %ir rqgpntmept' of .any attempt on hj§ part to,force hip personal views on the Naval, Oonforence in the faqe pf pxnert naval opipioi), and at the exppnse of the taxpayers of the Dominion,