THE BRITISH NAVY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9400, 22 March 1909, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

SECOND -EDITION.

NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER

ONE OR TWO DREADNOUGHTS. Per Press'Association. Wellington, March 22. Government-has decided to offer to defray the cost of the immediate building and arming of one fine class battleship of the latest type, and if subsequent events show it be necessary to provide the cost of % a second warship of the same type.

MEMO FROM THE PREMIER.

Press Association. ' Wellington, March 22. In an interview with our representative to-day, the Prime Minister stated that the unanimity of both sides which the recent debate in the British Honse of Commons has disclosed with regard to the gravity of the situation between the Motherland and Germany in so faf as our naval ascendancy is, concerned cannot ba misinterpreted. No room is left for doubt that England feels her supremacy on the seas is now serioiisy threatened by the amazing naval activity of the German dockyards. It appears clear that all thoughtful men in Great Britain recognise that the Empire must set itself with the utmost determination and if necessary sacrifice to maintain the naval supremacy upon which not only our honour but our national greatness depends. The burden lying upon the British nation for naval expenditure is at present enormous and every loyal subject cf the Crown must feel that in a time of crisis like this he ia palled upon to help the Motherland with more than words. New Zealand is prond of past proofs of her loyalty to the Mother Country and stands to-day-in the estimation of the British people as among the first in the British Dominions for ready loyal response where the necessities of the Empire call for it.

The Prime Minister said that in these circumstances the Government of New Zealand felt its obligations to assist the Motherland, and a Cabinet meeting this morning had unanimously agreed to the Prime Minister’s proposal that this conntry should offer to defray the cost of the immediate building and arming of one first-class battleship of the latest type, and if subsequent events shew it to bo necessary would provide the cost of a second warship of the same type. THE OFFER MADE. bir Joseph said that he bad sent this offer to His Excellency tire Governor and to the Secretary of State for the Colonies this afternoon. BIS DAT QUI OITO DAT. He went on to say that this is a time when any waiting or halting on the part of the New Zealand Government would enormously lessen the value of any assistance we might eventually give, and he felt confident, a matter touching our national existence would be treated as above party consideration and would appeal to every section cf the community as a right and proper thing to do. Apart from tho moral effect of this offer it had to be remembered that even upon the ground of self Interest it is amply justified since in this country the value of our national and our private wealth is now nearly six hundred million sterling and this largely depends upon the British navy for its security and defence. MINISTERS UNANIMOUS. The Prime Minister added that this determination had not been hurriedly arrived ar, ha had been revolving the whole matter for some days past and after anxious and careful consideration had brought it before some of is colleagues on Saturday morning last. All the Ministers were present at the'meeting of Cabinet to-day when the matter was dealt with, and as he had already stated the proposal had been cordially and unanimously assented to.