THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3159, 10 April 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph Copyright,

SPEECH BY MR PEACON. SYDNEY, April 7. Mr Deakin, late Federal Premier, addressed a big meeting to-night at the Oddfellow's Hall. His speech was a criticism of Mr Fisher's policy. He blamed the Prime Minister for not gauging the feeling of the country better, and offering a Dreadnought, and reaffirmed his intention of forming a Liberal party, the chief aims of which would be to promote a protective tariff, an adequate defence system, and encouragement of immigration.

DREADNOUGHTS FOR AUSTRIA. Received April 8, 10.50 p.m. LONDON, April 8. The- Vienna newspaper "Zest Vienna" states that Austria will build four Dreadnoughts, which will be completed by 1912. AN APPRECIATIVE RESOLUTION. Received April 8, 10.50 p.m. LONDON, April 8. The Council of the Royal Colonial Institute unanimously adopted a resolution expressing its warm admiration of the generous offers of the overseas dominions to co-operate with the Motherland in the naval defence of the Empire. A DISCURSIVE DEBATE. . Received April 8, ,10.50 p.m. LONDON, April 8. A discursive debate preceded Parliament's adjournment till the 19th. A vain appeal was made to the Government to enable Parliament to present a united front by the assurance of eight Dreadnoughts at the earliest possible date. The Hon. John McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, replying to Mr J. Gretton, admitted that Germany, during the past five years had made provisions for fiity, as against Britain's forty-nine destroyers. Only four of Britain's were complete and ready for service, as compared with thirty completed by Germany. Mr McKenna added that on the other hand Britain had ordered thirty-six so-called coastal destroyers, now armed as first-class torpedoes, whereof thirty were delivered. WOODVILLE, Thursday. The Woodville County Council today unanimously passed the following resolution:—-"That this ®oqncil conveys to Sir Joseph Minister of New Zealand, its appreciation of the spirit prompting his action in connection with the offer of a Dreadnought as a gift from the Dominion to Great Bitain."

THE HON. C. H. RASON INTERVIEWED.

Received April 9, 4.15 p.m. LONDON, April 8. The Hon. G. H. Rason (AgentGeneral for Western Australia) interviewed, said he would not be surprised if Westralia joined New South Wales and Victoria in offering a Dreadnought. Australia's intention was that the battleship should supplement whatever programme the Imp?rial Government thought necessary, and thus make safety doubly sure.