BRITISH NAVY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10016, 12 April 1910, Page 5

BRITISH NAVY.

I THE BATTLESHIP COLOSSUS. LAUNCHED AT GREENOCK. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright Received April 11, 10 a.m. LONDON, A.pril 10. The battleship Colossus has * been launched at Greenock. ,! ..i ;: • - <•!< * "ON THE BRINK OF GREAT ' ' : EVENTS.", . • Received April 11, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, April 10. After the launching of the "Yarra there was a luncheon, at which the Australian High Commissioner, Sir George Reid, was ona of the speakers. In the course of his speech, Sir George said that {[regarding the beginning of an Australian Navy all the great parties in the Commonwealth held identical views. The world's desire for peace was never greater, yet it was strange that the stronger the statesman's professions of peace, the more extravagant and mad became the pare of naval preparations. The secret of this marvellous discrepancy was that we were on; the brink of great events, which [ would throw the world into Bome dreadful catastrophe or cause a terrific strain on its resources that would hasten a general understanding. "The fortunes of the Motherland and her dominions are," continued Sir George, "inseparably intertwined. The people of Australia have no intentiou of seeking military or naval adventure; they would be far more delighted if their warships were scrapped without firing a shot in anger. But all parts of the Empire realised the responsibilities to the Empire under existing circumstances."