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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 88, 10 May 1909, Page 2

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"A GRAVE PERIL" THE GOVERNMENTS FOLLY, UXaiALLEXGAULK STRENGTH DEMANDED.

MR.' BALFOUR'S VIEWS. Received May 0, 4.0 .p.m. London, May 8. Speaking at a meeting of the Priuiros League, .Mr. Balfour, ex-Premier and leader of the Opposition, said that the Government's neglect in regard to the navy was a grave peril. Britain was running her margin in superiority iiiue. too tine for national security. The Government was well aware that eight Dreadnoughts were needed. It was perfect folly for them not to come forward and make a cle«;i breast of it. 'They admitted the circumstances went so changed that they were compelled 10 hasten the' programme and that their calculations had been run too close, His every method, whether gentle or violent, had been to persuade'the Government that their actions had been inefficacious. The gigantic sacrifice whicii the nation would be called upon to make during the next decade—perhaps long after that—ought to begin at once, jt was the duty of the Government, wnatever the cost, to provide not meieiy for a bare possible margin compared wuli any other country and its immediate allies, but a security of a kind which could secure honor for the country and peace for the world, namely, a strength which could not possibly be cnallenged. "A CRIME TO BUILD MORE SHIPS.'

Received May 0, 4.30 p.m. London, May 8. Mr. Lewis Harcourt, speaking at the Reform Club, said the country should have abundant security. It was a erime to build more ships than were necessary. "PHANTOM FLEETS AND IMAGINi AUY ALLIANCES." Received May 0, 4.30 p.m. London, May 8. The Daily News declares that there Is no intention among sensible men to build against phantom fleets or imaginary alliances. THE FIRST CHARGE ON THE SURPLUS.

Received May 9, 4.30 p.m. London, May 8. Mr. Lloyd-George, interviewed by toe Standard,'declared that the navy would be the first charge on any realised sur» plus in 1910. . n AN EPOCH OF WAKSHIP BUILWNU. A SEVERE STRAIN. ' *> BRITAIN'S ABILITY TO STAND If. Received May 10,1.15 a.m. London, May 9. Mr. Winston Churchill, President of the Board of Trade, speaking at Oxford, Hiiid it was' certain that we were in for au epoch, uot of panic warship building, but of steady warship building. It was deplorable that nations should spend money in this way. It was a severe strain for every State, but it would not be Britain that would be the first to show itself unequal to the strain. (Cheers.) "Happily," he continued, ''fife trade will enable us, unhampered by tariff loans, and without the status of" any class in the country being sensibly alVected, to maintain an ample anil effective superiority in sea power over every likely combinition." THE LONDON CONFERENCE. AUSTRALUN REPRESENTATION. Received May 10, 1.25 a.m. Melbourne, May 9. The Federal Government will be represented at the naval conference by Senator Pcarce and Mr. J. C. Watson. NEW ZEALAND'S OM'ER. A CHORUS OF GRATITUDE. (From a Correspondent.) Loudon, March 20. From the coloiiiat standpoint the acn- ' monies of the naval controversy in Enghind are quite eclipsed by the cables from day to day, recording the progress of the discussion in the colonies. New Zealand's magnanimous offer, which was made known on Monthly afternoon, evoked a babel of gratitude and approval. It was so thoroughly characteristic of our Dominion that the press of all shad s of opinion joined in a chorus of applause. Perhaps the most prettily worded acknowledgment is that of the Daily Maih- " The offer of New Zealand to provide n Dreadnought for the British Navy is one of those splendid acts of affection and patriotism which kindles the imagination and stir the atood. Once mor>, in a. moment of stress and crisis, New Zealand is setting a great example, aa ten years before she did on the eve of the South African war. Then it was the • lives of her dearest sons that she freely offered the Motherland. To-day it is ships and money. The spirit is the same, ami for this proof of it the deepest thanks of this nation will go out to its kindred of the Southern Seas, And it

is not only Xcw Zealand that is moving. . . Thin fresh proof is beinjf given to mankind of that solidarity of the Empire which so astonished the world in 18D9. We shall gladly accept all that the oversea Dominions are pre« pared to give, and shall feel comfort at the' thought that their action proves the unity of tho British race." : The most practical comment is offered 1 by the Morning Post, which looks for. ward without any fear to the day when each of the States of the Empire will equip, train, and support its naval squadron. It says;— "From Sir Joseph Ward's Government there has come the definite offer on the part of the youngest Dominion to defray the cost of a first-class Imltleship of the latest type, and, if necessary, to provide another as well. This step liaa been taken by the unanimous decision of tlie Cabinet, and the Prime Minister has made it clear that they are eager and anxious to take the lead in lending their support to the Mother Country at the present moment. By Englishmen these generous oilers will be received with the warmest appreciation and with the keenest admiration for tne spirit which prompts them. Once again the ■■people of the King's Dominions overseas have shown their power of grasping the essential character of problems affecting the welfare! of the British race, anil their capacity for instant decision and determined action in matters oi high Imperial policy. Australians and New Zealaiiders do not suffer themselves to be blinded by empty phrases and sentimental theories when the security of the Empire is at stake, The splendid spirit of resolution and willing selfsacrifice shown during the struggle in South Africa can always be relied on in a crisis. In spite of the shortsighted and tactless discouragements offered by the authorities in this country, the desire of the younger States to play their part as strong and self-reliunt nation! in preserving the tnbrlc of British power, still burns lradimined." Xeedle.ss to say, there has beeu a tendency on the part of many of the papers to make political capital* of the controversy. The comment! of the older papers are all so marred. Air. Hall-Jones, who was besieged by newspaper reporters on Tuesday, said to one of them:—"l am exceedingly pleased to find that my old colleagues have taken the course they have in the matter. H indicates the loyalty of New Zealand to the Old Country, and "»<r desire to co-operate in anything which ■■'. requires lo be done. The sjionlnneity of an oiler of this nature will. 1 think, lie ..-, an example to others to follow on the same lines. There was no prolonged talk about the matter. The offer was considered hy the Cabinet, submitted to llio floveinment, ami immediately passed and made. - ' "London," added the High Commissioner, "has received the offer in a splendid spirit. I am being rung up "* from all parts of Loudon, and people are expressing their appreciation of the way in which Xew Zealand has taken the matter up. It shows the unity oi the Empire. We arc all of one race-, < and closely knitted together." The action of Xew Zealand, and the oilier .Dominions had quite a saluturv ; effect on the Stock Exchange, w"ilcn lift* j' suffered considerable ngiUttion lately § from international troubles. -^j