HIS EXCELLENCY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 811, 28 January 1903, Page 2

HIS EXCELLENCY.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton, last night,

A large meeting was held in the Masterton Town Hall this evening, when His Excellency the Governor gave an address on the objects of the Veterans’ Home. The Mayor of Masterton announced that it was the intention of the Patriotic Fund Committee to donate the balance of £3OO to the Home. The Governor stated that to construct the Home in wood would cost £SOOO, and in brick £7OOO, and the committee were anxious to know if any more funds were coming in to enable them to decide whether they could erect it in the more substantial material. He said that he hoped tenders would be called in a fortnight. During his speech the Governor referred to naval matters. He dwelt on the paramount importance of the navy to the Empire, and said he thought some scheme could be evolved by which our great trade routes could be protected in time of war without weakening the navy. For instance, the mail steamship companies could be subsidised to build fast vessels, which should be armed, not necessarily carrying heavy guns in time of peace, but having them ready at certain allocated ports of the Empire these boats would practically be warships in time of danger, and this would leave the fleets free to unite where necessary. Ho thought the proposal would lighten the burden of the British tax-payer.