AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

INTERNATIONAL STATUS. , In FebriW.v last, when the limits of the area to be controlled by the fighting ships of tifc Australian fleet "'ore defined, it was also laid down that' all British officers, whether belonging to the Royal Xaw or' to tho permanent naval forces of flic self-governing British dominions, should in future receive "Imperial" commissions. These commissions, whether issued by the Admiralty or by a dominion Government, are, tho Melbourne "Argus" states, to be -of one form, extending to service ill all tho naval forces of the Crown. In the circumstances it will now be unnecessary for the Admiralty to grant temporary commissions to officers of a dominion naval force detached for service in tho Royal Navy, or by a dominion Government to officers of the Koyal Navy acting with a dominion force.

'i'hu effect of this decision, it . is now stated unofficially in naval circles in England, will be to place the fighting ships in the dominion naval forces on tho same footing as vessels in the Royal Navy, in regard to the recognition of tteir tights and privileges as men-of-war by foreign Governments. It might lmvo led to unfortunate occurrences had the ships of the dominion naval forces, when met by foreign men-of-war, or when visiting foreign ports; been treated differently in regard .to the interchange of courtesies, or had there been any stinting of tho privileges which recognised men-of-war ai'e entitled to and exped'. The ships of tho Commoinvcalth will in future be not only ships of the Royal Australian Navy, but, by virtue of being commanded by officers holding Imperial commissions, 'King's ships of war, and their -international status will be prcciselv tho .samo as the vessels of the Royal Savy, or of any ship whose commanding officer holds an Imperial commission. Thu.s all tlu requirements of international law in this respect will be satisfied by the new order.