THE NAVAL SITUATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 75, 24 April 1909, Page 2

THE NAVAL SITUATION

'J'llE AUSTRALIAN" DESTROYERS. London. Ajiril A contract lets been providing for the i: <>> 11 j. liti <> n of tin* lii'st Federal destroyer on June I.j, IUIO, tlie second o;i July 11, whilst tin 1 third is to be ready for shipment on .line <i. I'REPARKDNICSS FOR WAR. LORD JIERKsFt>RI)'S REPORT. SUBJECT OF AN INQUIRY-

Reccivi ,1 21), !1.21> p.m. London, April 23. In the House of Commons, Mr. A*(|iiilli informed the House that the statement regarding their readiness for war in llome waters, recently presented to 'him by Lord Charles Hereford. was about to be considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence. The majority of the newspapers welcome the announcement. MR. CHURCHILL'S RECENT LETTER. STATEMENT BY THE I'ItEMIER. Received 23. !UU p.m. London, April 23. Mr. As(|uith informed Lord Lonsdale that Winoton Churchill's letter was not written after consultation with his colleagues. Tlie (lovenimenl had ;iot abandoned the view that the two-Power standard was workable. The statement wax received with Opposition cheers, lie added, amid Opposition laughter, tliat Winston Churchill's statement must be read in connection with the context.

TWO LEADERS COMPARED. It is questionable whether Mr Fisher, the Lalwr Leader, who recently succeeded Mr Deakin to the I'remiernhip of the Commonwealth, will long survive the effects of his attitude at tile time of tile recent naval crisis, when he refused to give effect to the demand of the people, that u Dreadnought should be oitored to Britain. The entire press was against him, and the following scathing remarks by the Melbourne Argus indicate how bitter was the feeling towards him, and incidentally show tile growing respect with which Sir Joseph Ward is being regarded by Australians : Oreat national impulses are not reekoiicd with in the political crceii which has been taught to Mr Fisher Jlc has been accustomed to yield un questioning obedience to party sliih-1 boleths and party discipline ; he has | never learned to interpret the people's will. It is the natural consequence of years of Mind obedience to the orders of their outside leagues that Ministers should now gaze upon national enthusiasm with blank nna uncomprehending eyes. But this is surely the time for men with an rmpcual policy. Jf this. Ministry has no such policy' it should be compelled to make way for others who have, and who i .ive too, the corni age to declare it. What a striking contrast in famished bv Sir Joseph Ward, who is real- , ly the national lender in New Zealand! i There will lie no misunderstanding between the people and the Prime Minister when the New Zealand (loveninient's offer becomes known all over the Dominion to-day. Sir Joseph Ward appreciates the fact that the Austral lians'desire is to give an immediate def elarntion of willingness to share the t burden of empire, with no limitations ; or condition that might seem to contain the grudges of special self-inter-est. There is a vital difference in insight between the two Prime Ministers. One is a man who looks right out to the empire's horizon ; the other is eyes only for the slippery path he is treading, lest lie stumbles. Nothing will be said at present, but Mr Fisli-r is concocting a programme, to be announced—when ! To-day ? Xo ! Tomorrow ? N'o! lint nest week, at Uvmpie, in Queensland. In the meantime the magnificent offer by Xew Zealand is ringing through tile world. Australia is dumb because the Prime Minister is deaf.

Since the foregoing iras written the Commonwealth Premier has outlined proposals for an increased contribution to the British navy, ami also for greaUr expenditure upon the nucleus of an Australian navv. llis scheme is the latter direction lias already been subjected to tierce criticism, and there is little doubt that the naval issue -*lll provide strong ammunition for Mr Fisher's opponents when the Federal Parliament is next called together.—Exchange.