THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 51, 18 July 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

m;:. JUs-ix.'HASfs article. By Oob'e—Press A;sociation—Copyright. London, July ltf. The Chronicle fjvß that there is •c.!ie )• •rtavii.-.ili .1 in Liberal circles in <■. vnec;ion with M.\ Massingham's artick. !', \va-. !:-jv.\v r, incredible tliat Mr. Li.... -I (i.uige wx.ild quit the Cabinet on the ground of naval expansion, for which his Mansion House speech was largely responsible. The Evening News says that Mr. Churchill's policy is based largely on Lord Fisher's advice, and was literally to include an increase of pay on the lower deck. PROPOSED ROYAL COMMISSION. Received 17, 9.50 p.m. London, July 17. 'A Royal Commission, with Lord Fisher as chairman, will shortly be appointed to investigate the problems of coal gas, oil vfuel and other subjects connected witH warship propulsion. It is also •tated that the commission will inquire into the rates of pay in the Navy, with a view to remedying grievances.

EMPIRE PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION. Received 17, 11.10 p.m. London, July 17. Mr. Borden was the principal guest at the inaugural banquet of the Empire Parliamentary Association. Mr. Asquitli, in a letter apologising for absence, said that the fact that many overseas parliamentarians were joining such an association showed that the founders had performed valuable work. Lord Lyttelton presided, and said that I with maiiy of those present his supreme j idea for years had been an Imperial Navy, and alongside it the voice and influence of the colonies in the councils controlling the Empire's foreign relations. ' ; Mr. Borden, responding to the toast of "Overseas Members." dwelt on the anomalies of the Imperial system. The British Parliament, he said, was no longer Imperial in the highest sense. Its composition was determined mainly by domestic issues wherewith the Dominions had no concern; yet it controlled the Empire's relations and destinies. This condition left little open to criticism so long as Britain's sea supremacy was unchallenged or maintained by the British alone, because the Dominions of the Empire in w;ir time cnuld be called upon to take a reasonable and legitimate share in safeguarding the Empire's existence. Needless to say, in the time of peril every Dominion would respond not less loyally and earnestly than the Motherland. " One realised, however, that when the day of peril arrived, the day of effective' preparations would perhaps have passed. Those accepting a share of responsibility in the Empire's security mu3t no longer be considered wards of self-constituted guardians The Canadians would never willingly accept such a condition. The next ten or twenty years would be critical and possibly decisive in the Empire's history. God' grant that they would never b'.ve cause to regret that their opportunity had been neglected and was dead.