BRITAIN'S PERIL AND DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 79, 29 April 1909, Page 4

BRITAIN'S PERIL AND DEFENCE

WHERE THE BLOW WILL HA\ E TO BE STRUCK. BRITAIN'S POWER THE WORLD'S PEACE. "Every additional Dreadnought built by Germany is an additional menace to the peace of the world ; every Dreadnought built by Britain is an additional guarantee of peace. That is the difference." Mr G. 11. Reid is never tired ot joking about the charge that he is liable to talk on both sides of public questions, and said pretty plainly that there is no "Yes-No" about his views on the duty of Australia at the present juncture. Mr Reid was addressing a crowded meeting in St. Paul's Hall, Balmam West, Sydney, and dealt with the question of the offer of a Dreadnought by Australia, exciting a good deal of enthusiasm, and repeated outbursts of applause. He was very candid as to the position which Great Britain occupied. She had, he said, acquired an immense slice of the earth's surface, and not all by peaceful means. France was in the way iii India and Canada, and she "downed" her. And so with others. Now, having such a vast Empire, she wished to possess it in peace. That was natural, and it was also natural that other nations should wish to follow her former methods and acquire territory as Britain acquired some of hers. "But these facts proved that a powerful Britain meant peace, and a Britain that could be crushi'd and defeated meant war.

Another point to be noted was that the world was free to enter the Empire anywhere, and enjoy Die blessings ot British rule. All the world knew this, and that no other Knipire in the world', history had such a power of absorbing and assimilating new material. Only a few years ago every Doer in South Africa was fighting to the death against Britain. They were conquered, but, contrary to all precedent, were given liberty and all the rights of citizens. And now—when there was a hint of danger to Britain—the generals who had a few years ago fought against her united in sending a message Hashing over the wires that every Boer in -South Africa would stand as one man for the Empire. (Cheers.) Mr lieiil was very sarcastic over the proposals to help the Empire by protecting our coast with a few torpedo-des-troyers. He thought th"e idea of gradually establishing an Australian navy a laudable one, but let them not talk nonsense about it having anything to do with the defence of the 'Empire. Ten thousand torpedo boats around the coast line would not keep an enemy from landing if it wished to do so if Britain lost the mastery of the sea. And they were told these boats would protect Australian commerce. Some people seemed to think that Australian commerce was confined to the watfcm between Sydney and Watson's Bay. Some, of 'wider views, perhaps, believed it might include some trips from Melbourne to Sydney and on to Brisbane. Why, commonsense ought to tell them that the everincreasing trade of Australia was carried across every one of the world's oceans, to every port to which a ship could sail. It was protected, and must be protected by the great English ■navy on which £300,000,000 sterling had been spent ift recent years. It was true Australia paid the magnificent sum of £200,000 towards the upkeep of this navy, which, by the way spent nearly three times as much on Australia every year. But some people were beginning to think we ought to do a little more. Apart from the uselessncss of the proposal to protect our own shores was the paltry and mean aspect of the thing, ft was as though a wealthy squatter, with an immense sheep run, had given one of his sons a very valuable selection in one part of it. Then, when the rabbit pest threatened him, the son said : " Don't be afraid, father ; I'll run a rabbit■proof fence round my selection to help you." (Laughter.) Not a bit more absurd or uufilial than some opinions that one heard nowadays about the Dreadnought proposals. One writer on the subject had said h-> had no objection whatever to giving a Dreadnought if it were kept in Australian waters. Did it not, occur to that gentleman that this is just where Ormany, if she went to war, would like it to be. If the Dreadnoughts of the Empire could be scattered all about it, while those of the enemy were concentrated, it would make the'downfall of Briton's naval power practically certain. The place where Dreadnoughts could protect the Empire was near the Empire's heart, for it was there the decisive blow would be struck.

The question, after all, added Mr Reirt, rested with the people. It was they who were the true rulers of the land. Australians had shown in the past that they could act in a way worthy of the races from which they sprang. When the trouble occurred ill South Africa vouii" Australia rallied to the flag that ineant so much to every Briton. And now. when Hie danger 1 was ten times "renter, the young men—-and young wo«„.„_of Australia might be. trusted to 'see to it that the Mother Country was helped when help was needed, and with the right kind of help. At the conclusion of the speech, the assemblage rose and sang the "National Anthem."