Empire's Defence

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 175, 11 December 1912, Page 5

Empire's Defence

CANADA'S GIFT. ADDITIONAL TO BRITISH CONSTRUCT TION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright;

London, December 9. Mr. Churchill, replying to Lord Charles Beresford, re-emphasised the fact that Canada s gift was additional to the British construction.

| THE GERMAN NAVY. AN ENORMOUS INCREASE. Melbourne, December 10. An Admiralty memorandum said the development of the German fleet durin« the last' fifteen years was the most striking feature in the naval situation, the development was authorised to "ive successive legislative enactments covering until 1920. ' rhe P ro P os e<l increase was shown bv the following table:— „ 1908 1920 Battleships (excluding coast defence vessels) 9 41 Large cruisers 9 20 Small cruisers 2S 40 Torpedo boats 113 jjj Submarines 0 72 Men 25,000 101,500 Cost £ 6,009,000 £23,000,000 These figures, however, gave 110 real idea of the advance, since the cost of ships had risen continually during the' period. Apart from increasing the total, Germany had systematically replaced the old and small vessels by the most powerful and costly modern vessels. '

A COMPARISON. Melbourne, December 10. The Admiralty memorandum goes on to state that the number of battleships and battle cruisers of the Dreadnought class owned by Britain and the other European Powers will be as follows: Britain Other Powers 1012 18 19 1013 24 21 1014 31 33 1915 35 gi "MEMORABLE IN HISTORY." THE MOTHERLAND'S CONCESSION. Received 10, 11 p.m. Melbourne, December 10. The Argus says that memorable in the history of the Empire will be the scene that occurred in the Canadian House of Commons, when the Premier (Mr. Borden) declared the naval policy of the country. The policy marks an important forward step towards closer co-operation of the Motherland and the Dominions in Imperial defence. Although Canada's immediate policy differs from Australia's in form, it is, adds the Argus, essentially one in spirit. More notable, from an Imperial standpoint than Canada'# generous offer is the Motherland's concession of the principle that such help must mean an ultimate partnership, determining the foreign policy of the Empire. Sooner or later the fifteen million white British subjects of the outer Empire will have a proportionate voice ia regulating the international relations and external defence arrangements of the Empire. The Argus suggests that Mr; Pearce (Minister for Defence, who represented Australia at the last Defence Conference) is a suitable representative of Australia in the Defence Council.

"A NATURAL COROLLARY."

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS.

Received 10, 11.25 p.m. Frenmntle, December 10. Sir J. G. Ward, interviewed aboard the Mongolia, said Canada's offer was good oil sentimental grounds. The condition that they should have representation on the Imperial Defence Council was the natural corollary to such an offer. If the Dominions were going to take a fair share of the defence they should have a seat on the Council. The overseas representatives could not expect to exercise a very powerful influence, as the population of the Dominions was only fifteen millions, compared with fortyfive millions in the Old Country. Within a quarter of a century, however, the Dominions would more than make up the deficiency, and naturally would expect much "bigger representation, provided they were shouldering their fair share of the Imperial burdens.