THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3147, 26 March 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. ACCEPTED BY BRI HSH GOVERNMENT. AN IMPORTANT DESPATCH. Received March 25, 9 a.m. LONDON, March 24. In the House of Commons the Right Hon H. H. Asquith, Prime Minister, announced that the Government had accepted New Zealand's offer. The Earl of Crewe, Secetavy of State for the Colonies, has cabled an important despatch to Lord Plunket, Governor of New Zealand. AMERICAN AND BRITISH INTERESTS. IF BRITAIN WAS INVOLVED IN | WAR. Received March 25, 9 a.m. NEW YORK, March 24. The New York "Sun*' declares that Americans would be acutely involved in any disaster that might befall England, and are not blind to their own interests. AVOIDANCE OF UNDIGNIFIED SCARE. Received March 25, S) a.m. LONDON, March 24. The Secretary of State for War, the Right Hon. R. B. Haldane, speaking at the National Liberal Club, advised the avoidance of undignified scares, but saidj that Britain's present safety did not answer for her future safety, and unless there was a show of mor* 1 energy and forethought it would be impossible to to that the future would take care of itself. He urged the maintenance of a large supremacy over the naval force of any other country, and added that Britain should copy i the Hermans' steadiness and thoroughness. Mr Haldane said he warmly appreciated New Zealand's wonderful offer, which illustrated the spirit of | our own flesh and blood across the seas. BUDGET COMMITTEE DEBATE. SOCIrtLISTS COMPLAIN. Received Marcn 25, 8.20 a.m. BERLIN, March p4. Socialist speakers ot the Budget Committee, following Herr von Schoen. complained that Germany had palpably refused to take England's hand. "The Times" reports that all par- j ties excepting the Socialists insisted I that there, was no question of Ger- j many's reduction of navy pro- : gramme, and adds that it should be j plain to England that Germany is de- I termined to complete her construe- j tion work rapidly. j SYDNEY DREADNOUGHT FUND. Received March 25, 10.t-20 a.m. SYDNEY, March 25. ; Promises for the Dreadnought ; Fund total £60,000. j Thejjmeeting convened by the Lord j Mayor to be held in the Town Hall j to-night for the purpose of launching j a Dreadnought Fund, promises to he ! a monster demonstration. The "Herald" says:—"lf this meeting and the one convened in Melbourne are enthusiastic and unanimous we do not despair of Mr Fisher allowing popular fetling being expressed through a constitutional channel. If he fails to do so, he loses the best opportunity Australia has had of vindicating her claim to have a share in the government of the Empire, and displaying the unity of the Empire to the world. But, should he fail, there can be no reason why New South Wales and Victoria should not do as much as New Zealand." MAYOR OF BRISBANE WILL NOT CALL A MEETING. "A PANIC MOVEMENT." Received March 25, 10 a.m. BRISBANE, March 25. i The Mayor, replying to a request from the Stock Exchange to iall a Dreadnought meeting, did not think he would be justified in doing so. It would be like inaugurating a panic movement. GERMANY AFRAID OF SPIES. Received March 25, 9 a.m. BERLIN, March 24. The Customs officers have appointed assistants to police Schle-swig-Holstein and protect the coaatf 1 against spies. SUPREMACY MUST BE MAINTAINED. i AT ALL COSTS. 1 Receivcd'March 25, a.m. J LONDON, March 24. s The Leeds Chamber of Com me re y adopted a resolution urging th k necessity of maintaining at :>.ll cost v Britain's supremacy of the sea. CONCERTED ACTION" FAVOURED. a MELBOURNE, March 25. Members of the Ministty i'avoi

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concerted action by the States in connection with the Dreadnought presentation scheme. CANADA GLOWINGLY STIRRED. Received March 25, 10.50 p.m. OTTAWA, March 25. Canada is glowingly stirred by New Zealand and Australia's example. Sir Wilfrid Laurier is considering the contribution to the navy. LONDON, March 25. "The Times" declares that it is sincerely glad of the acceptance of New Zealand's patriotic offer in the same spirit that prompted it. The message accepting the offer would be read in New Zealand as expi'fissing the appreciation and gratitude felt in every English street and lane. "The Times" adds:— "There seems no reason why the battleship should not be la id down as soon as arrangements can be made. Mr Vickers, of Vickers, Son and Maxim, states that their yards v,ould be able to complete three Dreadnoughts in threi years, and thereafter one complete every half-year: and also equip artillery for seven Dreadnoughts in three years. A GLORIOUS LEAD. Received March 25, 10.20 p.m. | LONDON, March 25. The Hon. R. McKenna, replying to Mr Dundas White, Liberal M.F., stated that the Clyde yards were capable of building six Dreadnoughts. Mr Asquith, replying to Mr Hugh Lea, Liberal M.F., said that the whole question of aerial navigation had been for some time under consideration by the Defence Committee. ! i Mr Accrington, speaking at. the National Liberal Club, said that j New Zealand and the three New South Wales residents who had made donations tthe Dreadnought fund had given a glorious lead. If National sacrifices were required let the wealthy men set the examnb. He said all this was in contrast to the pitiful attitude o? the panicstricken Oppisition. j AN ENTHUSIASTIC DEMON- j STRATION. Received March 2fJ, 1 a.m. SYDNEY, March 25. ; The Lord Mayor presided at one of the largest and m«st enthusias-tic demonstrations evoi- held i > Svdcey,. the oject being the initiating of the Dreadnought Fund. The Town HaH: was densely packed, and th"- proceed ings were constantly punctu ited by the singing of patriotic so' gs. The speeches were strongly patriotic, and condemned the h&ltirg policy of the Commonwealth I adera, and urged the emulation of New Zealand, whose prompt and splendid re sponse was eulogised. The following resolutions were adopted:—"That in the opinion of this meeting of citizens glorying in the traditions of the British race the time has arrived for the Commonwealth to take an active share in tha naval' defence of the Empire; that in view of the expressed determination of Britain's rivals to challenge her naval supremacy, Australia should present a Dreadnought to the British Navy as an immediate expression of her i invincible resolve to stand by the

Mother Country and take her place in the Empire's fighting line."