OUR DREADNOUGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 223, 8 February 1913, Page 5

OUR DREADNOUGHT.

DEPARTURE OF THE NEW ZEALAND A SIGNIFICANT OFFER. By Cable-Press Association-Copyright London. February li. V\ lib llr. Massey's concurrence Mr Allen offered to tbe Admiralty to post pone the visit of the New Zealand if unsuitable. Mr. Ilarcourt, Seeretary for the Colonies, replied thanking him for the offer, but,said there were no strategical or political necessities to prevent the vessel carrying; out her world's tour. The Xavy League entertained Sir Joseph Ward at luncheon. Sir Joseph, responding, said he looked forward to the time when the Imperial fleet would be so effective that other nations would hesitate to try conclusions. .Mr. Allen paid a tribute to Australia's gieat sacrifice in the interests of defence. The New Zealand lias left on her cruise. PATRIOTIC SPEECHES. Received 7, .5..') p.m. London. February 7. The Duke and Duchess of Somerset, Lord Charles lieresford. Mr. Walter Long, M.P.. Lady Ward, the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie and Mrs. Mackenzie, Sir P. Robinson and Uu\y Robinson. Sir Newton Moore and Lady Moore, besides others mentioned, were present at the Navy League luncheon. The Hon. R. Yerburgh. president of the Navy League, in proposing Sir Joseph Ward's health, said that when the time came for the Dominion's answer to the question whether it would side with tin" Motherland on the sea. New Zealand's response was prompt, fair and magnificent. No name stood higher than Sir Joseph Ward's on the Empire's roll of honor. •Sir Joseph Ward, in reply,' said that he was anxious to see the Empire's defence removed from party politics. The Hon. J. Allen, responding to the toast of "Imperial Defence,"' said that Britain had so long been safe that she perhaps did not feel her danger. We sometime;- wondered whether Britain was quite awake. 'The ship was a visible evidence of what New Zealand was prepared to do. He ventured to say that New Zealand was more patriotic than the Motherland. The Dominion was prepared to make still greater sacrifices, but they must be permanent and not spasmodic. The sacrifice that Australia was making was very great, and it was not that she might separate from the Empire, but to consolidate it. Neither could it be supposed that Canada had yet reached a stage at which she would be -satisfied. PRESS APPROVAL. Received 7, 10.45 p.m. London, February 7. The Daily Mail applauds the offer to defer the sailing of the New Zealand, which has added yet another to the many deeds of patriotism which have laid Britain under a heavy debt to New Zealand. RESENTMENT IN AUSTRALIA. Melbourne. February 7. There is some feeling of resentment. m official quarters that so much comment has arisen over the King's inspection of the New Zealand, and the references in the English press to this being the first start of the overseas Dominions to build their own fleet units. It is questioned here whether the decision of New Zealand to build a battleship, or even the earlier gift of a Dreadnought, was really the first Btep in that direction. Australasia, it is suggested, or rather Australia, should be given the credit of having led the colonies in that Imperial movement. Jt is remarked among the defence authorities that the Melbourne left Britain only the other day. fully manned by an Australian crew, hut there was no such demonstration, at her departure as has been made in connection with the inspection of the New Zealand, nor was there a -imilar celebration when either of iliu Australian destroyers left England. The inference drawn is that the ollicials of Australia have not learned the art of advertising us well as the sister colony.