NAVAL MATTERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2083, 8 January 1908, Page 2

NAVAL MATTERS

SPEECHES BY THE ADMIRAL AND THE PREMIER. AGREEMENT SHOULD REMAIN AS IT IS. PREMIER. PROPOSES TO BUY TRAINING SHIP. Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Jail. 7Ax Admiral -and Lady Fawkes were entertained at lunch at the -Bluff today by the Bluff Harbor Board. Mr.* J. E. Watson, the chairman .of the Board, proposed the health, of ■‘Our Guests,” and eulogised the B •jtisli naval service as -being the nest guarantee of a continuance of peace in the Dominion. , Consequently, people should' spare no sacrifice in seeking -to contribute to maintain t-lie supremacy of the navy, as other countries were casting envious eyes at the progress and prosperity of the Dominion. Admiral Fawkes, in reply, thanked cho Board for the entertainment. He mid he was proud to be the first Admiral to flv the flag in the inner harbor of the Bluff. He enumerated what the flag had done for New Zeamul. It had placed the present people in the Dominion and insured them peace and protection, enabling hem to make a progress in a compartively short time, which was the wonderment oi visitors from the Old World. He emphasised the necessity for the Empire hanging together. There was no certainty that peace would last, and it was the duty of all citizens to be prepared to guard their hearths and homes. The Navy must be kept up, particularly in regard to the way in which its organisation i\ as controlled. There were II New Zealanders and Australians n the Navy, and he had received the best- reports of them. Regardin’' - die naval agreement, he was of opinion that the naval control was best as at present, in the hands of the Admiralty, -and to move a ship to sea. wherever an attack was threatened. It Mas- better to keep possible enemies from our waters than to beat ihem on our shores. Time might -.'ring new developments, but tho best development was a gradual training up of men from all parts of the Empire m the Navy. The Admiral convoyed the King’s personal message tnat his Majesty Mas sorry ho had been unable to visit- Australusia.

In response to tho toast of “The Dominion Government-.” the Premier and that- there should be no alteracion in the naval agreement, as the office of the Navy was to defend tho commerce on tho highways of tho seas. J ins country was prepared to increase the subsidy materially. It Mould be sound policy for the Govermnent to say they Mould have u suitable ship, and Mould have one thousand young fellows aboard that ship. If ; n conjunction with- the present work they were carrying out the Government could get a suitable slap to accommodate 1000 youths, tlie Government were prepared to pay for its up-keep, and the country would endorse the action. The Government would go further—they would provide pensions for the Tads after they had completed their -services. The population of the Dominion would one day he many millions, and the Government had to assist those in charge. After the luncheon Admiral Fawkes proceeded direct to Queenstown by special train.