THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 226, 22 March 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

• MB. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH. ' UNFAVORABLE RECEPTION IN GERMANY. Sy Gable—Pre* Association—Copyright Berlin, March 20. Press comments on Mr. Churchill'. speech are generally unfavorable. Th> papers resent his presumption in in •trading Germany on her naval necessities. The Kreuz Zeitung states that the kernel of the speech is thas England mainly builds to prevent Germany's further expansion as a world Power. Tb<3 journal is willing to consider a diplomatic agreement to limit building in a given year for the proportion of two to one. The Vossiehe Zeitung says that Englishmen overlook the fact that Germany has other 'considerations than Britain. The Tageblatt says that the resistance of Admiral Von Tirpitz and the Minister of Marine prevented the Chancellor and the Minister for Foreign Affairs expressing in the Navy BUI the desire for an understanding with England, which the Kaiser also desires. The Koelnische Zeitung declares that the pessimistic views expressed in Mr. Churchill's speech are not shared in official quarters. They are not regarded as a challenge, nor was the speech intended to imnede pending negotiations.

NEEDLESS DELAY DENIED. THE DOMINIONS AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE. EXCHANGE OF NAVAL INFORMATION Received March 21, 10.40 p.m. London, March 21. Mr. George Lambert, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, continuing the navy debate, •aid that the accusation of needless delay in the completion of the Australian and New Zealand ships was baseless. The delay was due to an endeavour to secure the best armour.

Mr. Churchill, alluding to Imperial defence, said it was not for the Admiralty to initiate proposals to the Dominions. It would cordially grant expert assistance if sought, and frankly inform them of all the facts connected with the naval policy. Referring to the question of associating the Dominion Ministers with Imperial defence, he declared that consultations on /the subject would soon be less encumbered with difficulties. A defence committee offered the most flexible means of establishing the real intimacy which ought to exist between the responsible leaders of the great Dominions and those concerned with the Emipre's defence here. Mr. Churchill, in replying to the suggestion of the hope to reduce the nary, pointed out that Sir H. Camp-foell-Bannerman's prolonged restraint in navy building had not produced any Blackening, but the doubling of the German construction. Negotiations had been progressing for some time to exchange naval information. England was always ready to state what ships were building and when they would be completed, providing that Germany reciprocated.

FRENCH APPROVAL. Paris, March 20. The press applauds Mr. Churchill's frankness. A CRUISER LAUNCHED. Received March 21, 10.40 p.m. London, March 21. The battle cruiser Queen Mary was bunched at Jarrow.