THE BRITISH NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 24 May 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY

I THE NEW ZEALAND. w ; PRESS CRITICISM. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 23, 9.20 p.m. , London, May 23. The Manchester Guardian questions the Government's right to ask that tne New Zealand shall be stationed in British waters. The cruiser was given when the naval scare was at its height, under a complete misapprehension of the facts. (All the prophecies of ruin then made have since been acknowledged to be riiieulous. It was a mistake once more to give the New Zealand Government the idea that British naval supremacy was endangered. Moreover, it was inconsistent with Mr. Churchill's policy of encouraging the colonies to make themtelves responsible for their own defence. The plain explanation seems to be that the cruiser is one of the finest afloat, and the Admiralty has coveted it for Home water, and grudged it going to New Zealand, where it was not likely to be wanted, except for exhibition purposes. It is doubtful whether the Admiralty's policy of concentrating the best ships in Home waters is not being carried too far. If there is trouble in China it might be a great convenience to have a first-rate cruiser in Australian waters.

CANADA AWAKENING.

• Received 23, 11 p.m. London, May 23,

The Times' Toronto correspondent says that the feeling in favor of an adequate naval contribution has made striking headway recently. After Sir Wilfrid Laurier's defeat and the apparent subsidence of acute feeling between Britain and Germany, Canada seemed to be returning to her old indifference. It was now apparent that the arguments in favor of an Imperial Navy had sunk deep into the minds of the people. The chances are that the ultimate policy will include a fleet of cruisers, naval colleges on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, with battle-cruisers and Dreadnoughts, to give the navy an Imperial value, the whole constituting an integral portion of the Imperial fleet, THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. FRANCFS~FEARS. Received 23, 11 p.m. Paris, May 23. The fact that Mr. Asquith, Mr. Churchill and Lord Kitchener will confer at Malta is interpreted as in nowise leaving the guardianship of the Mediterranean exclusively to France. The indications of British strategical concentration in the North Sea do not prevent the effective protection of the Empire's communications, and its strategical realities are unaffected by the problems which CanAda. Australia and New Zealand are preparing to face to-morrow. Nevertheless the French newspapers are apprehensive lest the action of Italy in the Aegean Sea should be ultimately utilised by the Triple Alliance to the advantage of the constituting partners, as far as the Eastern Mediterranean is concerned. ANOTHER DREADNOUGHT. London, May 22. Some newspapers state that the Government is discussing the provision of another Dreadnought during the current year, an increase in seamen s and etokers' pay, and the application of the profits of canteens to pensions for the dependents of men disabled in the seryice. SIR JOSEPH AVARD'S VIEWS. Sydney, May 23. Sir-Joseph Ward, in'an interview, referring to New Zealand's offer to the Admiralty, said there was only one way in which the greatest service could be rendered to the Empire in the matter of oversea defence, and that was by having the fullest and most effective strength concentrated at the point where in all probability the decisive trial, if one eventuated, would take place. He •was pleased that the ship would be placed where the Admiralty considered she could render the best service. He was pleased that the British people, through the Admiralty, so liberally interpreted the spirit of the gift. A MYSTERIOUS HLNT. Melbourne, May 23. Mr. Fisher, interviewed with regard to New Zealand's action, said that so far as Australia was concerned no change was impending, but he might have something to say later on. It is stated in other quarters that there is no intention to follow the example of New Zealand and lend the battleship Australia to the Admiralty.