THE BRITISH NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 309, 26 June 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY

THE NORTH SEA. PARTNERSHIP OR SUPPORT. By CabU—Press Asaowatioa—Copyright. Received 25, 10.25 p.m. London, June 25. It is expected that Mr. Churchill will make a supplementary naval statement in a fortnight. The Times, in an article entitled "The Admiralty and the Empire," says that the North Sea is now the centre of naval ■trategy. Victory there would leave Britain an easy mastery of the other European seas. Nevertheless, there must be no loosening of the hold on the Mediterranean, which closely involves the country's food supply. Britain cannot share the position with even the friendliest Power. It hopes that Mr. Churchill's Imperial squadron scheme will be worked out immediately, in preference to any contribution from the Dominions to the immediate battle power of the fleet in English waters. The security of the Empire depends upon solving the problem of union for defence. The paper asserts that the Dominions cannot be long expected to accept a system wherein they have no voice. Great Britain wants partnership far more than support.