THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 175, 15 July 1908, Page 2

THE BRITISH NAVY.

WILL GERMANY OUTPACE BRITAIN'/ MINISTER FOR WAR'S STATEMENT, Received July 14, 11,5(1 a.m. Loudon, July 14. In the House of Commons, the shipbuilding vole was agreed to ill Committee of Supply, after a debate largely concerning the inevitable increase In the expenditure in future. Mr. Arthur Lee warned the Government that if they failed to fulfil the pledge given in March the country would show them it would stand no trifling with the navy. Mr. Reginald McKcima's reply did not curry the question beyond Mr. Asquith's declarations made in March. He argued 1 that by 1011 Britain would have eight Dreadnoughts and four new great

cruisers, compared with Germany's seven Dreadnoughts and two Invincible*. lie admitted the preponderance was insufficient, if wc had nothing else to rely upon, but our superiority in battleships of the Dreadnought type was incontcstible. He added that if the Admiralty were satisfied new ships should be laid down exceptionally early in 1001), their plans were ready.

THE AUSTRALIAN PROPOSALS. BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS. Received July 14, 10.12 p.m. London, July 14. In the House of Commons, Mr. MeKcmu), in reply to Mr. W. Redmond, said it was quite natural that the Com-, monweallh should wish to have its own scheme of naval defence. The Government were perfectly willing to assist the Commonwealth in devising a scheme. What Australia now proposed was a mere outline upon which no action could be taken. The scheme required very considerable development and modification before it became practicable. A communication bad been addressed to the Commonwealth stating that the Commonwealth scheme was lwing inquired into, and that the Admiralty was seeking to construct the best scheme in Mr. Deakin's fullest sense. It was under the Admiralty's consideration, and the Admiralty hoped, if it were not possible to frame a scheme of their own, to amplify the scheme proposed and then come to an arrangement with the Commonwealth. No alternative scheme had been put forward, because the Admiralty was quite content to adhere to the. present arrangement, but it was anxious to bclp the Commonwealth. It was now endeavoring to do so by constructing a scheme on tbe outline of that which had been suggested.