CONTROL OF THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 107, 2 June 1909, Page 4

CONTROL OF THE SEA.

OERMAXY'.S JIUILDTXti PEOCRAJLMK. Tllli DREADNOUGHT OFFEU. Christclmrch, May 2!). ■Speaking at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's dinner at Christchurch, the 'Hon. I), Duddo. Minister for Internal Affair*, said Hint a nuc3linn of more importance than anvtliin* else to farmers at the present lime was the control of the seas t>y the British Navy. Keeent 'events pointed to a l>ig liid on the pnai of Germany to construct a .navy that 'would practically i'tand within tlie next three year* oii a level with the proposed construction of war vessels liy tlie British Admiralty. -MILLIONS OF MONEY.

One had to look behind, the scenes to understand the meaning of. Germany's action. For three years she had had .'in annual deficit averaging £12,000,000, and it seemed quite evident that nothing but blie instinct of self-preserva-tion warranted slibh a. careful nation throwing millions of money into a ile-'t that could not possibly be intended to defend the Herman empire. Along fourfifths of her border (icrnianv was surrounded by great European nations with powerful armies, and she could only have one purpose in view in establishing a great fleet, and that was to demand favored-nation treatment for ithe produce_ of her industries in the British knvpire ami ot'her nations who purchased largely from ihcr. It was difficult to find any other remain, for ft, and li's own belief was Unit (lermauv was determined t„ H, r i„ ~ pot . ]tim | Q ( , B . inaml that no system of preference should shut out her produce from the British dominions. TTIK iSACKIFICF.

Tl (his was the policy of Germany one could understand the sacrifice she was inaking, and when Sir Joseph Ward, as head of pile Government of this Dominion, made an offer of a Dreadnought to the Imperial Government, with a condilional offer of a Second if necessary the intention was to show to other conntries that the portions of the British Fuipire 'Wherever situated were essentially patriotic and prepared to take their share in the matter of defence

The question of Sir Joseph Ward roprosenting the Dominion at the coming Imperial Conference of Defence was one which, he felt sure, would receive every consideration from Parliament. The time was 'opportune and the interest? of the Dominion were practically at slake, and he for one felt that whatever might follow, the safest and only position for a Britisher to take waste de-c-hue that only the British Hag should wave over Xew Zealand. I';KIi.\IAXV,S AUMY.

fiermnny was a great, country. She had a great army on lines of mobilisation lili'Vi no Power was aide to follow, and it must not he forgotten that this demanded a tremendous sacrifice from her working classes. A working man ill Germany earning €.")() a year paid Os in income-tax. In the United Kingdom no incomes Were taxed under £l5O, and in Xew Zealand below CIIOO. In the event of the British lleet being defeated, this Dominion would, for the time being, be prac tic ally ruined. A year ago we slant away some ,£1(1,000.000 worth of produce over 'the sea. ,/f.liis year we would probably send to the value of C 14.000,000. and it was absolutely essential that the highway to the United Kingdom should be controlled by the British Xnvv.