THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1448, 24 May 1912, Page 5

THE NAVY.

9 PACIFIC FLEET CHANGESAUSTRALIA AND ITS BATTLECRUISER. NORTH SEA CONCENTRATIONBy Telegraph—Vress 'Association— Copyright Melbourne, May 23. It is slated here that i'nero is no intention of following New Zealand s lead with regard to its "Gift Dreadnought, and handing over the battle-cruiser Australia to the Admiralty, for service in the ■ North Sea. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fisher, shncs that so far as Australia is concerned no change is impending. He may, however, have something to say on the subject later. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. PLEASED AT THE CHANGE. Sydney, Mny 23. Sir Joseph Ward, in au interview, said, regarding New Zealand's offer to the Admiralty, that there was only one way in which the greatest service could be rendered to the Empire iu the matter of oversea defence, and that was by having the fullest and most effective strength concentrated at a point where, in ail probability, the decisive trial, if one eventu- | ated, would take place. He was pleased the ship given by New Zealand was to be placed where the Admiralty considers it would render the best service. Sir Joseph added that ho was pleased tho British people, through, the Admiralty, had so liberally interpreted thd spirit of tho gift. CONCENTRATING THE FLEET, IS .THE POLICY CARRIED TOO FAR; (Rec. May 23, 9.30 p.tu.) London, May 23. The "Manchester Guardian" questions tho Government's right to ask that the battle-cruiser New Zealand should be stationed in British waters. The cruiser, it sa?s, was given •when the naval scare was at its height,' and under a complete misapprehension of the iacts. All the prophecies of ruin then raado have since been acknowledged to be ridiculous. It was a mistake once more to give the New Zealand Government the idea that Groat Britain's naval supremacy was endanger ed, and was, moreover, inconsistent with Mr. Churchill's policy of encouraging the colonies to make themselves responsible for their own defence.

Tho plain explanation, adds the "Guardian," seems to be that the cruiser is one of tho finest afloat, and tho .Admiralty coveted it for Ilome waters, and grudged its going to New Zealand, whero it was unlikely to be wanted except for exhibition purposes. It is doubtful whether tho Admiralty policy of concentrating the best ships in Homo waters is. not being carried too far. If trouble arose in China, for instance, it might, be a great convenience to have a first-rate cruiser in Australian waters. CANADA'S POLICY. A BOLD SCHEME PROBABLE. (Rec. May 23, 12 p.m.) London, May 23. The Toronto correspondent of', the "Times" states that the, feeling in favour of adequate naval contribution has made striking headway in Canada recently. After Sir Wilfrid Laurier's defeat and the apparent subsidence of the acute feeling between Britain and Germany, Canada seemed to be returning to her old indifference. It was now apparent that the arguments in favour of tho Imperial Navy had sunk deep into the minds of the people. The chances are that Canada's ultimate policy will include a fleet of cruisers, and naval colleges on (he Pacific and Atlantic coasts, with battlo-cruiiers and Dreadnoughts to give tho Navy an Imperial value, the whole constituting an integral portion of the Imperial I'leet. r IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. FRENCH ANXIETY. (Rec. May 23, 11 p.m.) Paris, May 23. The fact that tho British Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Churchill, and Lord Kitchener, British Resident in ligypt, are to confer at Malta is interpreted here as indicating that Great Britain is in nowiso intending to leave the guardianship of the Mediterranean exclusively (0 France. Tho British strategical concentration in the North Sea does not, it is pointed out, prevent the effective protection of tho Empire's communications, and strategical realities are unaffected by tho problems which Canada, Australia, and Now Zealand aro preparing to face tomorrow. Nevertheless the French newspapers are apprehensive lest tho action of Italy in the Aegean Sea should ultimately bo utilised by the Triple Alliance to the advantage of its'"constituent partners so far as tho position in the F.asteru Mediterranean is concerned.

' ANOTHER DREADNOUGHT. ADMIK ALTY DISCUSSION. London, May 22. Some of the newspapers state that the Government is discussing the question of provision for another Dreadnought during tlm current year, and is also contemplating increasing seamen's" and stokers' pay. The matter of the application of the profits of canteens towards pensions for the dependents of men disabled in sevvicc is also, it is said, under consideration.