THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8758, 7 March 1907, Page 2

THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

The Two Power StandardPress Association—Copyright. London, March 0. The lit. Hon. E. Robertson, Secretary to the Admiralty, explaining the Naval Estimates, stated that tho Admiralty believed the present programme would adequately maintain the two Powers standard, which is the traditional standard of British naval strength. Russia, France and Germany together, he said, had added to their naval tonnage 1,108,280 in the past decade, while Britain had added 1,132,205.

The cost per ton for building men-of-war for Britain was £BB sterling, Russia £B3, Germany £97, and France £124-.

Mr Robertson showed that Britain’s two-Powcr standard would not be endangered for the next 34 years.

Mr Balfour expressed the hope that when the time of trial comes the Government will have the strength and courage to propose, and the Commons the patriotism to support any sacrifice that may bo required to make Britain safe against any combination of any two Powers of the world.

These words were very warmly cheered. Not the least emphatic of the cheers of assent emanated from the benches immediately behind the Government. Mr Balfour at first thought Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man was not amongst those cheering. Sir 11. Campbell-Bannerman, however, immediately corrected the impression, and emphasised regarding ids proposals for disarmaments that BrA.dn had no sinister purpose or desire to coerce any Power to reduce its armaments.