THE EMPIRE'S DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 177, 13 December 1912, Page 5

THE EMPIRE'S DEFENCE.

AN ADMIRAL'S RETIREMENT,

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, December H. Sharply questioned as to Admiral Bridgeman's retirement, Mr. Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) admitted that he suggested the resignation. The statement that the Sea Lords threatened more than once to resign last month was untrue. Received 12, 11.50 p.m. London, December 12. In the House of Commons Mr. Churchill was heckled over Admiral Bridgeman's retirement. He stated that the only cause was ill-health. No difference of policy led to a disagreement.

Sir Charles Beresford asked did the position emanate from Admiral Bridgeman.

Mr. Churchill: Are you speaking on Admiral Bridgeman's behalf? Sir Charles Beresford: No, no. But many Sea Lords have retired recently. Mr. Churchill: Since the noble Lord presses, the proposal emanated from me. (Loud Opposition cheers.) The Daily News says that it is notorious that Admiral Bridgenian retired after a serious dispute with Mr. Churchill. Admiral Bridgeman wanted higher pay for the bluejackets in order to secure the necessarv recruits.

THE SHIP-BUILDING PROGRAMME. Received 13, 12.20 a.m. London, December 12. The Times says that even wth the Australian and New Zealand Dreadnoughts the Admiralty programme for March, 1914, is one ship below the fiO per cent, standard. A sixth Dreadnought must be laid down in 1913 in place of the battleship New Zealand. The Dominion ships must only be counted in as extra in the European standard. It is dangerous for Britain to depend on distant Dominions, and intolerable unless the New Zealand is free to come and go as the Dominion desires. The British yards are capable of producing ten super-Dreadnoughts in 1913 if the Admiralty gives warning in time.

THE CANADIAN REPRESENTATIVE,

Ottawa, December 11. Mr. Daily, member of Parliament for Ottawa, will probably represent Canada on the Imperial Defence Committee. THE AUSTRALIAN POLICY. Melbourne, December 12. In the Senate, Mr. Pearce said the Government had come to a definite conelusion regarding the representation of Australia on the Defence Committee. It favored full conferences of representatives of the United Kingdom and the Dominions not less frequently than at intervals of two years, meeting in the Dominions wherever possible. Subsidiary conferences dealing with particular matters woidd be 1 held when necessary. He also favored periodical visits by British Ministers to the Dominions. He added that the Government was not corresponding with the British Government regarding representation on lines similar to those of Canada or other lines.

AUSTRALIAN CRITICISM. Received 12, 9.15 p.m. Melbourne, December 12. The Melbourne Argus, commenting on the Admiralty memorandum tabled in the House, says that those with the wit to read between the lines will fully understand the terrible pressure felt when the powers of the Triple Alliance complete their programmes, and the strain must ere long reach breaking point if these programmes are enlarged and the United Kingdom has still to bear its disproportionate share of the common Imperial burden. The situation must be frankly faced, "and," it adds, "we may D'j sure that just before the breaking point war will be inevitable, urging the need of the Dominions bearing a share of the burden. If we win in the race of armaments peace will be ensured, but failure will entail the direr burden of war, and war at a disadvantage."