THE NAVY QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 78, 28 April 1909, Page 2

THE NAVY QUESTION

VALUE OF DREADNOUGHTS. DISCOUNTED BY LORD BERESFORD. London, April 20. j Addressing a private meeting of 70 members of th e Parliamentary Committee, Lord Charles Beresford declared that the Admiralty was within its rights in relieving him, and that he hud no feelings of animosity. Replying to the committee, Lord Beresford remarked that the Dreadnoughts could not, owing to their size, be utilised for some of the effective purposes oi ordinary battleships, and discounted tlje idea of sea fights at ranges of 7000 yards. Such engagements, he said, were not likely to prove serious. The secretary of the British Navy League forwards fo us copies of the Navy Annual, a splendid publication, and" the Navy League's maps. He writes:— Sir,—l am instructed by my executive committee to write to you expressing their most cordial and grateful thanks for the assistance you rendered to Mr. Knox during his visit to New Zealand, through the columns of your paper. The Navy League knows no parly influence; its efforts are solely directed to the maintenance of Britain's sea power, and, directly through that, the cohesion of the Empire. From my own personal knowledge, I know that there are no more loyal subjects of H.M. King Edward VII. than are to be found in New Zealand. Loyalty to the Hag and the throne is common to all classes. Attachment to the Old Country and the flag are nowhere shown with greater zeal than by the inhabitants of the Dominion; therefore my committee trusts that the visit of Lieut. Knox will have put the final seal upon the determination of the people in the Britain of the South to maintain intact their share in that Empire upon which the sun never sets. The future is uncertain, and is crowded with many vital problems, but there can be no doubt that New Zealand, which.responded so nobly during the days of stress and trouble in the Boer war, will do as much for the peaceful organisation of the British Empire's forces as they then did, in sending their full share of armed force when the Empire was in need of them. May 1 ask, in conclusion, that you will in future give that support to the Navy League through its local branch which you linvc so generously accorded to the representative vf the parent society?