NAVAL PROGRAMMES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 30, 1 March 1909, Page 2

NAVAL PROGRAMMES.

GERMANY AXD BRITAIN. Loudon, February 20. Persistent reports have been c'irculal••'l I" the ell Yet tluiL Germain's naval ihipbuililiiig is in advance of'her programme ami that the work is being lurthcr expedited. 'i'lic Time, understood, thai mo inipiun.l Indomitable* under tin; Estimate, fur IiMU-ll) were to be laid down on the Clyde forthwith and the construction expedited. Persistent Radical activities have occurred throughout ihe eouiitry against the Government's reported decision re six more Dreadnoughts. The Chronicle and Daily News claim that Cabinet is not likely'to exceed the eonstruetioii of four Dreadnoughts, reserving power to extend its programme. The, Chronicle hints at floating a naval loan.

DISCUSSED BY LIBERAL FEDERATION. NO BUILDING INCREASE NECESSARY. PRESS COMMENT. Received 28, 4.15 p.m. London, February 27. Sir Edward Evans, presiding at a general committee meeting of the Xational Liberal Federation, said they heard so much about increases of armaments, but

the Government would have to show good cause before the Liberals assented to an increase. The Government's policy of peace throughout the world was the strongest possible. lie added that if the Conservatives, came into power .-

now, there would be a frightful catastrophe, hardly exceeded by the Messina earthquake. After the rejection of an amendment from Scarborough against a policy of unneccsasry shipbuilding, a resolution by the executive committee was unanimously adopted reaffirming the principles of economy in naval and military expenditure. To this was added the following:—"The committee cannot recognise on the evidence at present before the country that a case has been established for the suggested increase ta naval expenditure." Commenting upon the addition to the resolution, the Daily News writes:— "This refers to the demand for tix Dreadnoughts in 1000, and probably aix more in 1910. The Federation's resolution, as we have reason to believe, has not only saved the Government from speedy disruption, but maintains the great ideal of Liberalism." The Times, referring to the firmness shown by Mr. Asquith in dealing with the deputation from the Trades Unioa Congress, expresses the hope that the same attitude will unflinchingly be maintained in the probable event of an open struggle in the Party over the Naval Estimates.