AUCKLAND AS A NAVAL BASE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1716, 5 April 1913, Page 3

AUCKLAND AS A NAVAL BASE.

REPLIES TO CRITICISM, CONTEMPLATED IMPROVEMENTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April 4. Adverse criticism of Auckland as a naval base, which has boen cabled to New Zealand as the opinion of tho Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney "Sun,'-' was brought under the notice of Mr. '.T. 11. (Junson (chairman of the Harbour Board) by a reporter this'morning. "In the first place," said Mr. Gunson, "the Auckland naval base well equipped with machinery and plant, installed and fitted to Admiralty plans in connection with tho existing agreement with Hie Harbour Board, under which the Admiralty pays the board tho sum of ,£SOOO per annum. The wharf accommodation at Calliope Dock jetty is quito sufficient for tho requirements of tho largest warships. Tho Dreadnought New Zealand, which is about to pay a visit to these waters, could quito easily berth there, tho depth of water being over 33ft. at tho lowest tide. Already plans for further improvements have 'been submitted to the Admiralty, and the statement that no measures have boon ' taken to prepare Auckland Harbour for the powerful navy contemplated for New Zealand waters by the Naval Conferences of 1809 and 1011, is totally incorrect. That nothing further has been done is not tho fault of this Harbour Board, as proposals have already been laid before the Admiralty, and even quitn recently farther communications have passed in this matter. The board quito properly conducts its negotiations through the Government, which has been fully advised of the position, and fully realises tlie readiness of tho Harbour Board to co-operate in any steps that maybe advisable. The .present Calliopo_ Dock, which was built 25 years ago, is, of course, too small for modern warship requirements, but tho Harbour Board is ; even now prepared with an excellent site for a. new Dreadnought, dock on the southern shore of tho harbour, off Mechanics' Bay reclamation. Here thoro is admirable rock foundation, and an area of about 800 ft. by 90ft. will be available; The board is quito prepared to consider this scheme at any time it is approached by the authorities. Obviously the Auckland Harbour Board cannot bo expected to equip a naval base on its own initiative, but it is ready to act nt any time .the Government and Admiral tv see fit to bring the matter forward." Colonel W. H. S. Patterson. Coast Defence Commander of tho Auckland Military District, when approached regarding the Australian criticism, said that Hie looked upon the aspersions _of Auckland Harbour moro -as the_ individual opinion of ono ill-informed critic than as an indication of Auslralan feeling towards us. So far as Auckland Harbour ,is concerned, lie said, it has greater potentialities as an efiicient naval base than Sydney Harbour has. He also pointed out that Auckland could hardly be expected to equip the harbour, as a naval base before authoritative representations were made, on the subject. Tlifi outlook regardjng naval matters in the Pacific had altered much-during the last two years that. Australians (lie suggested) were now beginning to feel that their earlier .proposals had been somewhat hasty and illadvised.