FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 70, 12 March 1908, Page 2

FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE.

DISCISSION IN BlUTlSli i'AULIAAIENX. THE XWO-i'OWKR STAKIUIU) TO BJi ' MAINTAINED. London, March 10. 11l the lluuse of Coiniuons, during tiic debate on the Navy Kstimutes, Mr. K ltobertson, Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, referring to the new Dreadnought type of ships, said: "The worrit that could happen would be that Uerniany and France together in 1910 might in the event of certain accelerations have twelve battleships and cruisers to our twelve, but early in 1911 they would

have twelve and we fourteen." Mr. Balfour on the other hand made an emphatic statement that ill January 1911 we would have eight Dreadnoughts unci four battles])i])* of the Invincible type against Germany's nine vessels of the newest type, mid by the autuuin of l'Jlil (jernuuiy would have four additional vessels or thirteen to our twelve. A vote lixing the personnel of the Navy at 128,000 men wa-s agreed to. Mr.

Murray Macdonald's amendment in favor of a reduction by 8000 was negatived without discussion. Mr Robertson incidentally stated tliat both sides of the House accepted tile two-Power standard The Admiralty considered that the new programme amply maintained that standard. Mr. Balfour insisted that by the end of 1911 Germany would enjoy a danger* ous superiority in Dreadnoughts if she were able to build as fast as Britain. BRITAIN'S DUTY. ilUS'l' MAINTAIN UNASSAILABLE SUPREMACY. IMI'OKTANT MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Received lltli, 8.58 p.m. • London, March 11. During the debate on the naval vote, Mr. Balfour, reiterating his comparisons with the European navies, asked for a dearer answer than was possible on the previous night. lion. H. 11. Ascjuith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that the country must maintain unassailable supremacy. The

two-Power standard was good, practicable and workable. On that there was no difference of opinion. He added that Itlr. Balfour's question was confined to vessels of the Dreadnought class. His assumption that Germany, by November, IUII, would possess 18 of that class was based on lh c hypothesis that one would be built in 30 months after being laid down, and the whole programme on paper executed to thc letter, There was, Mr. Asquith said, grave reason to doubt this, but for thc moment ho assumed the hypothesis to be correct.

THE SHIPBUILDING POLICY. . KEEPING AHEAD OF GERMANY. * Received 11th, 9.23 p.m. London, March 11. The Hon. XI. If. Asquilh continued that Britain by January, 1911, would possess twelve Dreadnoughts and later be one short, that was, if Germany would complete their programme in time. Tlmt« assumed that nothing would be done by Britain by way of new construction in 1909, or vessels laid down at such a date that they would not be completed by 1911. Mr Asquith proceeded: "'But without forecasting the programme for 1909, I can say, without the faintest hesitation, that if we find a reasonable probability of the German programme being realised, as the paper figures suggest, we will feel it our duty to provide, and shall provide, a sufficient number of ships at such date of laying down that by November, 1911, the superiority of Germany which Mr. Balfour foreshadows will not be an actual fact.* Loud Opposition cheers followed. Mr. Asquith added: "That is the policy of the Government. It remains on record, and ought to reassure the House that we do not intend to be left behind." (Cheers).

The Times declares that the Hon. quith's explicit declaration will be received throughout the country with profound satisfaction and no little sense of relief. • i