A WARNING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9641, 5 November 1909, Page 5

A WARNING.

IMPERIAL SOLIDARITY.

DISCUSSION AT COLONIAL

INSTITUTE,

United Press association—Bv Electric Telegraph Copyright.

Received November 4, 8.5 a.m

LONDON, November 3.

There was a large attendance it the Royal Colonial Institute to hear a paper read bv Sir John Cockburn, formerly Agent General for South Australia, on "Signs of Imperial Solidarity.'

The paper evoked from Lord Charles Beresford a speech, retreating the remarks he made at the City meeting on Ist July, as to the urgent need of organising defence.

Lord Beresford stated in the course of his City speech that the position in regard to Britain's naval defence was more serious than vvas genet ally supposed, and he urged the adoption of a definite naval programme would put an end to the I present wild and insane competition abroad. "The mistakes of the past," 1 said Lord Charles, "are, firstly, the large arrears of shipbuilding; secondly, false economies; thirdly, the absence of a proper strategical department of the Admiralty to prepare war plans and see what vessels are necessary to execute these plans. While we are talking, Germany is building She is entitled to do what she considers to be necessary for her needs." Lord B'ere»ford proceeded to formulate the following programme, which he affirmed would put the country in a state of safety by 31st March, 1914:—Dread noughts, 10; Second-class cruisers, 18; Commerce protection cruisers, 18; Anti destroyers, 24; Destroyers, 52.—Total, 122.