EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3168, 20 April 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

THE BRITISH NAVY, SPEECH BY MR ASyUITH. THE CAWDOR MEMORANDUM. "AN ELECTIONEERING ' PAMPHLET." United Pl-ess Association—By Electric Telegraph* Copyright. Received April 19, 8.45 a,nu LONDON, April 18, The Right Hon. H. H. Asquith,. Prime' Minister, speaking at Glasgow, characterised the Cawdor Memorandum as an electioneering pamphlet. "Had the Liberals proceeded on its lines," saii the Premier,, "we would have been in possession of an unnecessary number of backward specimens of ships in a constantly progressive family. Vessels of the Neptune class were thirty per cent, better than the original Dreadnoughts. At this moment we may be on the eve of new development in naval construction which may vitally affect naval policy; hence it is undesirable to order a contingent of Dreadnoughts immediately. "The sole issue between our criticsand ourselves," continued the speaker, "is whether we should bind ourselves to order extra vessels at once, or leave the question to be de*tremined later in the year. "The magnificent colonial offers were enhanced by the fine generous spirit in which they were made. Nothing could be more gracious or tactful, or indicate a more generous patriotic concert in the common obligations of the Empire." Speaking without consulting his colleagues, Mr Asquith suggested the possibility of a conference between the colonies and the Mother Country regarding their future respective shares in the great independent work of naval defence.

Lord Cawdor's memorandum was drawn up in 1905, shortly before he vacated office as First Load of the Admiralty in the Balfour Ministry. In it he reviewed the development of the new system of entry and training of officers, and indicated proposed changes in connection with the Royal Naval Reserve. An increase of pay to men of the fleet was promised. The shipbuilding programme comprised an output of four large armoured ships annually, and unless unforeseen circumstances arose, this number, said the First Lord, would not be exceeded. "The board has come to the conclusion that the right policy is to make out their programme of shipbuilding for the next year only, and while they anticipate at present that the output of four large armoured ships a year would be sufficient to meet our requirements, there would be no difficulty whatever in increasing this output to whatever extent may be necessary in consequence of any increase of naval power abroad."