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THE NAVAL CRISIS.

PERILS OF THE SITUATION. MR ASQUITrTS CANDOUR. NECESSITY FOR EIGHT DREADNOUGHTS. Received March 31. 9 a.m. LONDON, March 30. "The Times" says that Mr Asquith's candour in disclosing the perils o: the situation is, in the eyes of the country, the brightest point in the history of his administration, but his proposed measures are indefensible in the light of Sir Edward Grey's very lucio statement, justifying evary criticism by serious students of the situation. The cumulative effect of Sir E. Grey's survey should convince the Government of the necessity of a provision for eight Dreadnoughts at the earliest possible date. CONTINGENT DREADNOUGHTS. A HINT. ! - Received March 31, 8.35 a.m. LONDON, March 30. In the House of Commons, Mr Reginald M'Kenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, In reply to Sir Henry Norman (Liberal) hinted at certain preparations for contingent Dreadnoughts, including designs already in hand. GERMANY'S ASSURANCES. NOT OF A BINDING CHARACTER. ■ . i ReceivedJMarch.3l, 11 a.m. BERLIN, March 30. Prince Bulow, German Chancellor, in all important speech in the Reichstag, reported on Germany's naval assurances regarding ship building, adding, "They are not of a binding character."

ON WRONG LINES. Received March 31, 9 a.m. GYMPIE, March 31. In his policy speech at Gyrapie, Mr Fisher, Federal Pri»ne Minister, declared that the scheme to present a Dreadnought to Britain was not a policy at all, and the Government could not have justified itself if it had yielded to popular clamour, because it believed «t .was nn wrong lines. WH AT NZ W " SOUTH WALE 3 AND VICTORIA WOULLDO. Received March. 31, 10.50 a.m. SYDNEY, Ma&h 31. . tj Mr Wade, Premier of New South Wales, telegraphed to Mr Fisher that in the event of the Commonwealth not agreeing to increase the naval subsidv, but deciding to present a Dreadnought to Britain, New South Wales and Victoria were prepared to find their proportion of the cost on a population basis. Mr Kidston, Premier of Queensland, informed ,Ma Wade that the Queensland Government was unable to agr'ee v to the proposal to increase the naval subsidy. He considers the Federal Government should be allowed to carry out its duties connected with defence without meddling by the States.

CANADIAN NAVAL SERVICE. Received March 31, 9.45 p.m. l - OTTAWA, March 31. The Hon. G. E. Fester, speaking in the Dominion House of Commons, urged that Canada should contribute regularly to the Navy. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said tha the preferred to follow the example of the Commonwealth and provide the neucleus of a local navy. Perhaps in building the navy she was, Germany was preparing to do to Britain at sea what she France on land. No Britisher can be indifferent to such a prospect. "Though the danger is not immediate/* said Sir Wilfrid, "we must be vigilant, and be prepared to stump the countryfjin the interests of the defence of the Empire." Ultimately, after the partyleaders had conferred, a resolution was adopted declaring that the House would cordially approve of any. necessary expenditure for,the speedy organisation of a Canadian naval service, which would co-operate with the Imperial Navy, as the Admiralty suggested at the last Imperial Conference. The "Toronto Globe" says that there is no unanimously precise course to be taken. Canada will welcome a frank statement of what jiaval defence is best for Canada and the Empire. NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. "WHAT MORE MOVING AND MAGNIFICENT?" _ SPEECH BY MR BALFOUR. Received March 31,. 11.40 p.m. LONDON, March 31. Mr A. J.' Balfour, leader oi the Unionists, addressed an audience of ten thousand in the Agricultural HaH; said that nothing was more

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright,

moving and magnificent than the unsolicited response made by New Zealand, with a population equal to five out of 28 of the Londcn Borough. Her gift was equivalent to more per head than the annual taxation per head of Britain. If such gifts are accepted Britain cannot refuse the overseas States preference and a fiscal change is now inevitable. The new system must grant what the whole constellation of sister States have steadily, persistently, and patiently asked for year after year. All the newspapers display New South Wales and Victoria's offers; The "Standard" says that the value of the Australasian gifts sink almost to insignificance beside the moral effect of thttfthnoble partnership in the work of Imperial defence. Ttie "Daily Mail" says the splendid offer has been receiveu with the warmest gratitude.

A CONFERENCE. Received April 1, 12.45 a.m. ; SYDNEY, March 31. ! It transpires that the Bank of New | South Wales and the Commercial Banking Company offered Mr Fisher two million pound sterling at 31 per cent, for the purchase of a Dreadnuoght, but the offer was declined. The announcement in the cables that Victoria and New South Wales has offered a Dreadnought is vidently due to a misconception. MELBOURNE, March 31. A conference took place to-day by telephone between the Governments of New South Wales and , Victoria 'Jit witlTregard to their offer to the Prime Minister to bear their share per capita basis of the cost of presenting a Dreadnought. Mr Murray subsequently stated that the position was a somewhat difficult one. Cabinet would deckle at its meeting to-morrow wnat furher steps should be taken. No formal reply had been received from the Prime Minister, nor had the other States announced their attitude. It is ; understood that they are disinclined to contribute. He would have a further conference with New South Wales to-morrow.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19090401.2.13.1

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3152, 1 April 1909, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
909

THE NAVAL CRISIS. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3152, 1 April 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3152, 1 April 1909, Page 5

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