ANOTHER WARSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 185, 23 December 1912, Page 6

ANOTHER WARSHIP.

SULTAN'S GIFT, TO COST TWO MILLIONS. I ! ' •' j From Singapore details are to hand respecting the offer of the Federated' Malay States to the United Kingdom of a warship to cost 20,000,000 dollars ,(£2,000,000). - The Sultan of Perak, who Visited London at the Coronation" of King 1 George, and a few* months ' since entertained Prince Alexander of Teck at his palace at Kuala Kangsar, in Perak, is the moving spirit; and it. is he who has brought the matter before the country; It may I seem surprising that the Sultan of. j Perak, a Malay, and, of course,, a MbJ hammedan, should favor a scheme for j strengthening the forces of a Christian I nation, but it is well known that he and the; otheft Sultans realise that the rhain- { taihing of .Britain's, power means, the j upholding of the" interests of MohamI medanism in Asia. Malaya is a wonderfully wealthy British protectorate, comprising several States, each of which is governed by a . native ruler. They meet at intervals, together' with the Jaigh Commissioner, Sir Arthur Young; the Residents > ~wlip-- a rp . British; the. unofficial 'British members, representing' .commercial interests,, to, some , extent; jaind there ,is a Chinese'inember." For some time past the.rulers of, (he variofts .States' nave,entertained',the that. the. Federated .Malay States were ?;np'£ : assisting. !tHe.Jinpire in defence^matterß, ito an extent, commensurate with their prosperity. His Highn'ess,the Sultan of, Perak, when spoken to upon the subject by the High Commissioner, was en- ]' thusiastic in the prajse of tlxe, SQhenie, i,and said his wish was to_ojjer to Britain ~a..first-class battleship, ;to cos,t japt less 'ih'an 20,000,000 dollars.,,;: ,;His Highness was glad' to, have th,e, opportunity, of showing,his loyalty .and. gratitude,,.' hesaid,', to the countrj .that had projected /the 'Stafes ;; f or,, so, many,.,.y«ajs >; and T ,through whose aid 'th,e,. ! (tajned such unbounded prosperity. His j,.highness the Sultan of Selangor receivJ,.ed,: the subject w*tH .similar cordiality; i .and this was also the .case with the JRuler of Negri Sembilan and his Highness of Pahang'?. representative. : The next, stejv was to refer the matter to the Federal Council; and, the meeting 7 w,as i an, historic one in the annals of j Malayan ..administration. :■ Speaking in ' the Malayan language, his. Highness said:: "It Jsresolved that this. Council approves, of. ; the Federated Malay States | offering! tp-the. United..Kingdom, a -flrstv; class 1 armored ship, the, r vessel 'to bo constructed >as soon as ;his Majesty's advisers consider it, desirable. ■; ■■ Details* -as , to payment to be decided hereafter, but payment to be fuai-yeara if possible."

It was npt- United -Kingdom was in urgcmfc' need'ctf Wftr'r'vfeisei tlTat this offer had been made, the Sultan , s.Jiid; it was because He "was deeply sensible of the, benefits flf remaining- : under .the, protection of the' British Empire.' "The strength, of.-the.Unite<]L Kingdom was ; . apparent .to him. ' Jle hoped, the vessel topbe built wo'ujd' be a suitable one/ '"'/ I consider'' it only proper," said' the. Sultan_of Selangor, ship to be' 'provided' snail be referred to the M- , tairalty, because, such ships should be /of .the. typo most useful to the. British ( Government!" '""/' ' ; ; :' 'The Yam, Tuan of " iSfegri Semiljiian, j the ; Datp Ijnan'g' Prang of Pahang, and the; Chinese member''of the Council, Eto I Tpng, Seng, all'spoke in favor of the scheme, and thejr remarks, .elicited loud I applause. •. i . resolution waa carried,. .