PACIFIC NAVAL BASE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1491, 13 July 1912, Page 5

PACIFIC NAVAL BASE.

SYDNEY'S LOSS BY THE CHANGE.

By Teloeraph-Press Association-Copyrisht Sydney, July'l2. It is stated that tho transfer of the naval baso to Auckland will mean a trade loss to Sydney of from ,£BO,O'JO to .£IOO,OOO annually. Mr. Kitchen, managing director of the Sydney Soap and Candle Company, suggest; as n remedy to !et llio C'.uuninnlrealtb Government approach the Imperial authorities with a proposal jointly to appoint ti victualling officer v.ho might act on behalf of "both, buying for tho Imperial and .Australian Fl€«t vessels. "There would (hen bo a chance of competing .against New Zealand," says Jlr. Kitchen, "nnd if "New Zealand could supply the goods at a lower price than Australia, then good luck to her; but the odds are we" should keep most cf tho trade wo havo had before."

Effect will probably be given within the next twelvo months to tho recommendation of tho Naval Conference at London in 1909, under which a portion of tho projected China Station Floot will be detached and given permanent headquarters in New Zealand waters: The local squadron will havo its headquarters at Auckland, and will consist of two cruisers of tho new Bristol typo, three destroyers, and two submarines. Tho Australian Fleet unit, consisting of 12 vessels, will, however, have its headquarters in Australia.