THE NAVAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 97, 21 May 1909, Page 4

THE NAVAL SITUATION.

) THE NEW ZEALAND OFFER. (British Navy Journal.) The splendid offer of New Zealand to give one, and, if need he, two Dreadnoughts to the Imperial Navy ha« stirred the heart of the country profoundly. It is proof to the ambitious nations of the world that it is the British family with which thev have to deal, not alone with two little islands in the North Sea. Does a nation which, m the picturesque language of Mr. Arnold White, fills a million more cradles than graves every year covet the goodie heritage, of Britain? Then this offer allows that Britons the. world'over are true to their fealty to King Edward, and that they will not without a strug-le exchange the meteor Hag for anv other strip of bunting that Hie* over a'forei.-n keel. This is the rcplv of Greater Britain to those who fondly hoped that the, trident was dropping from nerveless hands, and we can well conceive the dismay that this r ude rebuff will cause in certain quarters. To the Navv Lea-ie Wie, intelligence brings exceptional 'satisfaction. We have recently welcomed back Lieutenant Knox, who'devoted the months of leave given to him for the restoration of his health to carrvin- on a vigorous Navy League, campaign in New Zealand. 'Sir. Knox would be the last to claim that this magnificent offer is the fruit of his work. Indeed, it would nave, been impossible, for bi m t„ ],. NT created the patriotic fervor which hn« inspired it. But that he visited Jfew Zealand in a happy hour, and that his work has- aided to focus the. zeal of the Dominion for the..Navv on which its 1 security rests, we are proud to believe, and. we do „„l think the generous Br, on*othe Antipodes will d.-nv. The unity 0 t the .Empire is forwarded in a noteworthy manner by this demonstraon of affection for all that for which the Empire stands, and it remains to the people of this country to show that tbr\V are not unworthy of .so much love and sacrifice by bidding their rulers vote that increase „, the Navv which is on the safety of our far-