SPEECH BY SIR EDWARD GREY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9011, 21 December 1907, Page 5

SPEECH BY SIR EDWARD GREY.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Associniion—By Electric Telegraph copyright.

THE KAISER'S VISIT.

NAVAL PROGRAMME OF GERMANY. NO NEED FOR ALARM. Received December 20, 11.44 p.m. LONDON, December 20. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in a speach at Derrick, justified Mr A. Birell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, in refraining from coercion, which would bring the solution of the Irish disorder no nearer. The Kaiser's visit to England was, he said, bound to have a good effect on both countries. Referring to the proposal of the Hague Peace Conference to compare the naval programmes with a view to mutual reduction that view was not yet accepted. It was well-known that the German Government was embarking on a very large naval programme. He added: "I have no complaint to make. I mention this matter because it is important, and not in a carping spirit. At the same time if the other powers increase their navieswe shall undoubtedly have to in crease ours. There was no needto rush the matter. The present position was perfectly secure for a year or two or more, but if our neighbours largely increase their naval expenditure it would be impossible for us to continue reductions in connection with our Navy. At present we were in such a position as regards a sea Power tha*; there is no need to be ahrmed at the increase of any other country's naval expenditure."