THE BRITISH NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 151, 8 July 1901, Page 2

THE BRITISH NAVY.

SATISFACTORY DECLARATION. TWO POWER STANDARD TO BE MAINTA tNED. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, July 6. Debates on the navy have taken placo in both Houses. Lord Solbounie and Mr Forster explained that the tivo-Power standard of strength would -bo maintained. It was, ho said, intended to keep the navy so strong that it would have a reasonable cc-rtainty of success anywhere. Construction was proceeding rapidly, and before the end of the year three vessels of the Creasy type, four and two Cauopnses would be completed, while eight more would be finished by the end of the next year. Tho Mediterranean fleet, when on a war footing, would bo absolutely adequate for an;, task.

Mr Forster expressed a hope that some of the great colonies would voluntarily contribute in proportion to the benefit received, but he said it was impossible to drive them to do so. The general opinion is that the explanations in regard to the navy are satisfactory, and ought to allay a panic.

FURTHER DETAILS. A GREAT PROGRAMME. FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS EXPECTED FROM COLONIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 6. Lord Selbourno and Mr Forster explained that the new naval programme included three battleships of sixteen thousand five hundred tons, with a speed of eighteen and a-half knots, costing T 1,500,000, being improved vessels of the London type, armed with four twelve-inch and secondary armament of 9‘2 and ten six-inch guns. Tho vcssols will bo named the King Edward, the Commonwealth, and the Dominion, in recognition of the groat military help rendered by tho colonies. It is also proposed to build six armored cruisers of the Monmouth class, eight thousand nine hundred tons, with a speed of t-vonty-threo knots, to bo armed with 7'5 guns, and costing .£70,000, also ten thirty-knot destroyers. Scientific - equipment for the supply of shells and tho best ammunition is rapidly proceeding. Every flagship and first and second-class cruisers have Marconi’s telegraphic system installed. Ml- Gilbert Parker said that the colonies ought to contribute to tho navy according to their share of the world’s commorco, though they would expect some form of representation for such payment. Sir Chas. Dilko expressed a hope that a ship would be named “New Zealand.”