The Daily News. MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1911. A BIG INSURANCE POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 104, 23 October 1911, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1911. A BIG INSURANCE POLICY.

Britain is spending this year nearly forty-five million pounds on her navy and Germany half that amount. From Germany comes a suggestion that the two countries should come to an amicable agreement by which this tremendous drain on the pockets of the peoples of both countries shall be lessened. But while Germany has at present a fleet that can in no sense compare in size or efficiency with that of Britain, she has, as Mr. Bonar Law recently put it, "the most efficient army in the world," adding that if Germany obtained command of the British Channel site could strike the death blow of the British Empire. It- is a remark that compels thought, and it is liecause the British leaders —but not necessarily British peoples—foresee that an British slackness might "let slip the dogs of war" that the sum of money mentioned is to be spent. German leading thought, as distinct from the meaningless twaddle talked by small and inconsequent individuals and bodies, is to the effect that treaties of arbitration and international arrangements for the reduction of armaments are excellent in theory but not practical. Strings of wonderful figures mean little to the people, but what does mean something to the people is the training, the man power, and the genius that leads nations. The one outstanding reason and justification for the armed supremacy of the British Empire is that she lias responsibilities and duties greater than those ol' all combined nations. Her possessions are farflung and difficult, to manage, there is the unsettling feeling among the sister nations that it is no longer necessary to be "tied to Granny's apron si rings," and there is also the anti-Imperial feeling in its worst form that comes of acquisition without trouble and progress without strife. In times of calm the firebrand raves and the "masterless man" uprises and screams. The first act of armed aggression against Britain would be the justification of her naval policy and the condemnation of her military inactivity. Britain, too. is more long-suffering than aforetime. That: almost forgot - len incident of 1 lie British fishing fleet and the Russian warship would have brought war a hundred years ago. The mildest Britisher wanted to know then what

tlie Navv was about not to take up the challenge. Increased preparations, keener organisation, the establishment of national sentiment, love of home and country are necessary for the establishment of permanent peace. It needs but a glance at a daily paper to show that the unprepared nation is likely to regret her unprt'paredness, and that lack of preparation spells loss of power, territory and prestige. Britain lias a world-wide business that t'aimot continue to be done unless she is prepared to demand that it shall be done. It is because she is able to demand what, have become her rights that we are here or the Empire exists, and it is because of this that she spends forty-five million pounds this year in insurance for our safety and peace.