EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3157, 7 April 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

A. NATIONAL CAMPAIGN PROPOSED. CONSTRUCTION OF CONTINGENT DREADNOUGHTS. Received April 6, 11-35 p.m. LONDON, April 6. The Opposition propose starting after the Easter recess a national campaign, having for its object insisting on the Government constructing four contingent Dreadnoughts in 1909.

"The Times" declares that many Ministerialists deprecate the decision inasmuch as if Mr Asquith were to buil 1 contingent Dreadnoughts in 1909, after consulting Parliament, the action may be attributed to agitation. They credited Mr Asquith with having the intention to build eight Dreadnoughts from the outset. As the compromise is considered one of form, and not of substance, the idea is now suggested in connection with Sir E. Gray's warning regarding the rebuilding of the fleet that a portion of the capital expenditure should be withdrawn from the annual estimates and a sinking iund established.

COMMONWEALTH PLANS,

Received April 6, 10.40 p.m

LONDON, April 6,

In the course of conversation with Captain Collins, Commonwealth representative, the Hon. R. McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, expressed the hope that he would hear soon from the Commonwealth Government concerning their naval plans, and gave an assurance that the Admiralty would cordially facilitate any feasible scheme the Government may favour.

BULIDING OF DREADNOUGHTS.

NO LACK OF MONEY,

Received April 6, 8.25 a.m. LONDON, April 5.

The Right Hon. W. Runciman. President of the Board of Education, speaking at Newcastle, said it was untrue that Dreadnoughts had not been built on account of lack of money. The Government knew where and how to get this. He hoped that when the Budget was brought down patriots would not squeal.

THE DREADNOUGHT GIFT. RESOLUTION OP APPRECIATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce, held this afternoon The Council of the Chamber of Commerce conveys to Sir J. G. Ward its appreciation of the spirit prompting his action in connection with the offer of a Dreadnought as a gift from the Dominion to Great Britain, and in connection threwith would suggest that the cost of interest oh the sane should be provided by surcharging European and Continental importations to the Dominion to the extent necessary."

MEETING OF PRUTEST.

By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, April 6.

A meeting of protest against the | Government's offer of Dreadnoughts was very largely attended, His Majesty's Theatre being* filled in every part, and two thousand were unable to gain admittance. A fairly large section of the audience were antagonistic, and all the speakers were interrupted by tho singing of "Rule Britannia" and "The Red, White and Slue." Mr Taylor rnovfeJ a lengthy motion of protest, which was seconded by Mr A. D.' Hart, President of the Trades and Labour Council, and spoken to by several speakers. An amendment proposed to the effect that judgmentbesuspended till Parliament'had considered the matter was not seconded, and the motion was declared carried. The meeeting broke' up amidst a scene of cheering and hooting.