NAVAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1812, 19 July 1906, Page 3

NAVAL DEFENCE.

The famous sea writer, Mr Frank Bullcn, •* let himself go ” when talking to a Press reporter about the naval defence of the colonies “ I tell you plainly,” ho said, “ you arc living in a fool’s paradise. What do you pay in subsidy ? A mere £210,000. It is imperative that you should equip yourselves with an efficient navy. Either pay England enough, or get an Australian navy of your own ; but where would you be if three second-rate Japanese cruisers came here and bombarded you'? i quite agree that you'should train up every able-bodied man to handle a rifle and shoot straight, but what earthly | .rood would they be, supposing every man was as sure as the Boers, if a hostile fleet was standing three miles out to sea and smashing your forts to smithereens'? The time is coming when Germany will cmj broil England in conflict, and England | will have to light singlehanded. There’s no doubt abou it, Germany is increasing lor armaments as fast as she can, and sho s making no secret of it. She is flaunting ler intention, as anyone can see by reading die German newspapers, which are all

practically the mouthpiece of the Kaisor, and yet, in face of this, wo havo that unspeakable Government at Home proponing to reduce the naval expenditure ! Bah ! You hear some funny arguments against increasing the subsidy,’ continued Mr Bullcn. “ One worthy merchant assured me eloquently that New Zealand ought not to pay any subsidy on account of the great quantity of produce she sends Homo : but how much produce would you send Home if England did not pay you for every penny's worth '! I asked him, But g,nattier prominent personage was funnier still. He said, * Look at the money we borrow from England, and the large amount of interest we pay! Surely it is England’s duty to protect us!’ I covered my mouth with my hand; I had . aui'cniy to that,’’