THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3148, 27 March 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

"GALLANT LITTLE NEW I ZEALAND." ' LEADER OF AUSTRALASIA. Received March 26, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, March 2fi. In the course of his speech at the Dreadnought meeting, Mr G. H. j Rtid said he admired the liberality of that gallant little country, New Zealand. If they wanted to know who was the leader of Australasia in the estimation of the world, it was not this great continent; it was that gyllant place New Zealand. A telegram was read from Mr Wade, State Premier, who was absent in the country, expressing the opinion that the Dreadnought proposal was inappropriate, because there was no immediate dangei. England was in no need of money, and the course proposed was spasmodic. He favoured an increase of the naval subsidy to- half a million, winch would represent interest on several Dreadnoughts. POSTPONEMENT OF ACCEPTANCE. WILL IT CHILL LOYALTY AND | ENTHUSIASM? Received March 26, 8.20 a.m. LONDON, March 25. Lord Balcarres, Conservative M.P., speaking at Beckenham, Kent, said that New Zealand's offer was eauivalent to £4 per inhabitant, yet acceptance of it was likely to be deferred for twelve months. "The Times" states that the Opposition consider that postponement of acceptance of New Zealand s offer will chill enthusiasm and loyalty. LORD BERESFORD ON THE POSITION. "NAVAL AFFAIRS SO GRAVE." Received March 23, 8.20 a.m.. LONDON, March 25. Lord Charles Beresford, just retired from command of the Channel Fleet, in an interview said: "I consider Naval afFaiisso grave that I must have time to consider what my duty to the Navy and the country dictates." AUSTRALIA WILLING. BUT HAS NOT GREAT FINANCIAL RESOURCES. Received March 25, 9 a.m. LONDON, March 25. Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Gould, prescient of the Commonwealth Senate, interviewed regarding the suggestion that Australia should present a Dreadnought, said that Australia was willing to do all in her power if necessity demanded it. He. pointed out, however, firstly, that Australia would object to anything in the nature of compulsory levy, and, secondly, that some were inclined to confuse a subsidy with tribute; and, thirdly, that the Com- ! monwealth had not great financial resources, owing to the fact that eight million of revenue was returnable to the States.

DEMONSTRATIONS AT MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY. SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD LANGUAGE. Received March 26, 10,50 a.m. SYDNEY, March 26. The "Herald" says:—''Last night's Sydney and Melbourne meetings declared in simple, straightforward language that, however politicians may palter, the people of Australia are ready and eager to contribute their quota to naval maintenance, and contribute without restriction or reserve." The "Telegraph" declares:—"The meeting may be taken as a representative protest against the failure ol both the Federal and the State Governments to recognise the significance of gthe present crisis in Imperial affairs." Both papers take Mr Wade, the Premier, to task for his absence from the meeting, and his attitude towards the proposal.

labour objection. PERTH, March 26. A meeting of the Labour Federation decided to strongly oppose the Dreadnought proposal, on the ground that if the suggested expenditure were devoted to public works it would prove of greater advantage to the workers of the State. FEELING IN TASMANIA. HOB ART, March 26. An enthusiastic meeting was held at Hobarc, and a resolution adopted in favour of the Dreadnought proposal. THE CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. MR ASQUITH EXPLAINS. Received March 26, 11.35 p.m. LONDON, March 25. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith stated in reply to Mr J. Gretton

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyrijfiit. (Conservative member for shire), that Germany's intention not to accelerate her shipbuilding programme was first intimated to Britain verbally through diplomatic channels on Maich l()th. The intimation added that Germany would not have 13 Dreadnoughts till the end of 1912. Comparing this with the Admiralty's information the Government concluded that the statement id not include cruisers. The statement made by Admiral Tirpitz on March 16th showed that it did. On the 18th the Government was informed regarding two ships to he ordered under Germany's .1809—1910 programme, the contracts having been previously promised to certain firms, but Britain lad bean given to understand that this would in n'j way qualify the statement regarding the rate of construction.

NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S ACCEPTANCE. LORD CREWE'S DESPATCH. Sir Joseph Ward has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State for the C o!onies through His Excellency the Governor: — "In further reply your telegram 22nd March desire you to express to fair Joseph Ward and to your Government in the warmest terms the feeling of appreciation and gratitude with which His Majesty's Government have received the offer so generously and patriotically made. In view of the uncertainty that exists as to the character and extent of the demand which may be made on the national resources in the following year, the offer of the Government of New Zealand to bear within that period j the cost of providing one first-class battleship of the latest type and of a second of the same type should subsequent events show it to be necessary is most gratefully accepted by Hia Majesty's Government. Your Government will doubtless understand that it is impossible to enter jr>to details fay telegram, but you will receive at an early date fuIE j communication by despatch, as H is Majesty's Government: desire? to consult with the Government of New Zealand as to time ic may become appropriate to give effect to their public-spirited proposal. So far as the coming financial year is concerned, the provisions and powers for which sanction is being asked in the Naval Estimates now before Parliament anord ample security." AN APPEAL. Received March 26", 10.15 p.m. SYDNEY, March 23. The Lord Mayor is issuing an appeal to the people of the State for a quarter of u million sterling towards the building of a Dreadnought. A strong and influential committee has been appointed to act with the Lord Mayor in the matter.