ALL-RED ROUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2074, 28 December 1907, Page 2

ALL-RED ROUTE.

VIEWS OF SIR JOHN COLOAIB,

‘A AIMS OH I EVO US AIISNOAIER.”

USELESS iIN PEACE AND AVAR,

United Press Association—Copyright (Received Dec. 27, 9.26 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 27. ' Sir John Colomb in a letter to tlie “Times” says it is a mischievous misnomer to describe the route from England to Australia, via Canada, as “All-Red.” The calling of the route, mainly maritime, by a false name will neither prevent commercial competition in peace nor frighten victorious admirals in war time from shutting it up like a telescope. The attempt to delude popular opinion by means of emotional claptrap may again impose upon the nation the pains and penalties of a gigantic and costly sham. If the nation wishes to postpone so terrific a catastrophe as tlie abandonment of the two-power standard it must refuse to listen to colonial appeals for money to multiply sea routes in order to facilitate commercial operations, unless the colonies consent to share. the responsibilities and cost of maintenance of the fleet. If the several parts of the Empire cannot or will not combine to provide the naval power necessary to secure what is a common essential to all of them, the sceptre of the sea must pass from British hands.