"THE KITCHENER OF THE NAVY"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 201, 14 August 1908, Page 4

"THE KITCHENER OF THE NAVY"

«-,. „ London, June ],-, lell your triends in New Zealand to back Jack Fisher for all they're w, t) , '■ was Mr \V. T. Stead's parting a, v k 0 !'o no at the close of „'conver"sati 0 ;i the * . d,l - v r «g«d">g the influences i.t ,„L m - 01 ' POliU ,! 0a - t0 Sir Joh " Ushers •''*« iTi, 1,011 7, at tllc Admiralty. Ami tell them," he added laughing! v that if we find it necessary to s h out »e aie bloodthirsty, for we shall only be executing proper justice." 1 went to Mr. Stead for informati-i, because he is in close touch with naval allairs and knows as well as any man - n Lngland what has been going 'on behind the scones. As long ago as ISB4 Mi. Mead wrote "The Truth about the -Navv, and he has been a friend of the present I'nst Sea Lord, Sir John FMier tor twenty-five years. I was anxious to learn from him whether Sir John's position at the Admiralty was being seriously undermined by an " anti-Fisher " ring, and the veteran journalist was kind enough to place his time and is information at my disposal (says a press correspondent).

, What he had to say was to some .\- lent confidential, but the position of ailairs may, I think, be indicated in general terms without breach of confidence. The only serious opposition j which Sir John Fisher has had to meet ,lias been the work of a certain naral celebrity, whose ambition it appears to be to become the First Sea Lord hi m . j'elf. A subordinate of Sir John Fishelie has, it is alleged, opposed the hitter's authority in various wavs and as the latter, like all reformers, has made plenty of enemies in the course of ni.s administration, there has been- a good | deal of influence insidioush- at work to I undermine the position of-the First Sci I Lord.

Hut it has had no effect in responsible ([Uartor.s. Sir John Fisher's position is as secure to-day as when lie look ollice. I lie dominions overseas, says Mr. .Stead, wed have no concern on that point. Sir John enjoys the confidence of the Kin" and the Cabinet. A Cabinet Minister informed .\lr. Stead that the attacks -o constantly levelled at the First Sea Lord had not shaken the confidence of a single Minister. Tim Kins himself is reported to have said that Sir John Fisher was the unanimous choice of the two cleverest heads in the Liberal party . anil the two cleverest heads in (lie Conservative party, and there is no doubt that an overwhelming majority of the country's representatives in Parliament are supporters of the Fisher regime. This being so, Sir John can afford to ignore the attacks to which he has been subjected, and there is no need to create a scandal by breaking •■'mutinous'' subordinates.

/•Sir John Fisher," said Mr. Stead. " i- one of the few geniuses we have in I Ins country. He has doubled the ellicieney of the Xavy in less than ten years, There is no fear of his enemies forcing him out of power, and while he is in power the efficiency of the Navy will lie maintained.''—Ly'ttelton Times.