THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 30 March 1909, Page 3

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER. London, March 28. Sir Gilbert Parker, Conservative member for Gravesend, says that the Government’s reply to New Zealand’s offer was either due to wilful misconception or blind inappreciation of its benefits, especially the magnificent demonstration of the growing sense of the colonies of their moral obligation to share in the responsibilities of Empire. The reply contained the same elements of quibble which the Government had shown iu re latiou to the demand for four Dreadnoughts. Colonel Seeley, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, says New Zealand’s generosity is unparalleled in the history of the Australian States. Other colonies were following the Dominion’s example, thus showing their eagerness to assist the Motherland if necessary. Mr A. J. Balfour, leader of the Opposition, explains in a letter that his motion of censure on the Government for, its failure to maintain a margin of safety in firstclass battleships is the only course open to him as by the rules of debate it is only possible to move a reduction of the estimates, not an increase. Ottawa-, March 27. Indications are that Canada intends to create defence fleets on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and thus release the Motherland of all responsibility of defending her. London, March 28. The Hon. Walter Ruuciman. President of the Board of Education, speaking at Colchester, denounced the artificially inflated navy scare, and declared that the British Navy was impregnable. No German Dreadnought, he said, was yet afloat, while Germany had only two-fifths of our number of available sailors. The Government’s motto iu naval affairs, he said, was “safety without superfluity.” Dr T. J. Macnamara, Liberal member for Camberwell North, denied there was any likelihood of Germany getting ahead of England by April, 1912. The margin occasionally was possibly small, but the pre-Dreadnought fleet and the Government’s programme fully assured national safety. Admiral Sir Percy Scott, in a speech, declared that the value of the fleet depends more oh its hitting power than its number. An Indomitable, with eight guns, made double the number of hits that a Dreadnough with ten did. Lieut. C. W. Bellairs, member for King’s Lynn, whom the Liberal Association repudiated, obtained at a meeting of his constituents a unanimous resolution of confidence, which declared that the anxiety of the country and Empire regarding naval supremacy, proved that his warnings were right, and he had earned the gratitude of his countrymen. Sydney, March 29.

The policy speech of the Hon. A. Fisher, Federal Premier, will probably indicate that the aim of the Government will be to provide in the course of time, such a fleet in Australian waters that the Imperial squadron may be withdrawn and that if the necessity should arise, the Australian navy may undertake the duty of patrolling the South Seas and policing the islands there. It may indicate that, as a start, more torpedoes and three or four submarines be added to the boat already ordered. Mr Fisher is also expected to declare in favour of a modified scheme of compulsory training. He is expected to propose either a land or property tax for defence purposes. The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Sydney, has cabled to Sir Joseph Ward congratulating him upon New Zealand’s noble offer to Britain, adding: “Australia has no alternative but to folsucha lead.”