THE NAVAL PROGRAMME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 63, 8 April 1909, Page 2

THE NAVAL PROGRAMME.

CABLE NEWS

(By Oable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

GOVERNMENT'S I'KOCiKAMME ADEQUATE. Ucccivcd April 7, lU.i'i p.m. London, Apnl 7. Dr. MacliaiiMra, Parliamentary ,mvivtarv to Hie Admiralty, speaking at the City Liberal Club, declared that two sat'isfactorv features had emerged from the navai' debate, the loci was the determination met with amongst all classes lo maintain the navy unchallenged ami unchallengeable, and the second the colonies' spontaneous recognition of their vital state, lie added that the (iovi-riiment's programme was sufficient to secure national safely, and denied that bv April of IUI2 Germany would get ahead of Britain. lie admitted that our superiority in Dreadnoughts ini"ht at times be narrow, but he emphasised the preponderance of pre-Ddead-nought ships.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE CONFEUENCI

Received April 7, HU p.m. London, April 7.

In the House of Commons -Mr. Asiiuilh, in reply to ( |iiestions, intimated that anv speciiil conlerence on the naval defence'of the Empire was dependent upon an agreement in that direction between the Imperial and Colonial governments. The latter iad not expressed a desire for such a conference.

PARTY TACTICS DEPRECATED. Received April 7, 1U.5 p.m. London, April t. The Chronicle, referring to the proposals of the Opposition for a naya campaign, says it is most undeßirable that the navy should continue to be dragged along in partv nits. The fact is that there has been too much of tactics in this matter on both sides. The Government, for tactical reasons, combined the cry of danger with a hypothetical way of meeting it, while the Opposition, for'tactical reasons, magnify me danger and reduce the hypothetical quartette of Dreadnoughts to phantom ships. Nobody believes that only four Dreadnoughts will be the sum of the Government's programme for 1009. yet when the Government proceed to do what they already mean to do, they will perhaps be represented as being bullied into it. This is absurd and ought to be prevented betimes.

A CANADIAN NAVY. FINDING THE MEN. Received April 7, 10.45 p.m. London, Appril 7. A Bill creating a Canadian naval militia* or force of volunteers, whence the future navy will be recruited, will be shortly submitted, with the Admiralty s concurrence. It is hoped the BUI will become law in 1909.

AUSTRALIAN DREADNOUGHTS. Received April 7, 8.55 p.m. Sydney, April 7. Lord Dudley officially opened the agricultural show. Admiral Toore, referring to the Dreadnought, said ho had heard the movement described as hysterical. Thero could 'be nothing hysterical in the sympathy of her children towards the Mother Country. He added that whatever might be said, he wished them to remember that the bottom had not yet dropped out of the British Navy. Mr. Cook, leader of the Federal Opposition, said a Dreadnought would go as soon as the Federal l'arliament could speak, and it would be sent by the. earnest desire of the whole people of the Commonwealth.