EMPIRE SEA DEFENCES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1840, 28 August 1913, Page 7

EMPIRE SEA DEFENCES.

PACIFIC SQUADRONS. THREE FLEET UNITS. By Telesraph—tress Association—Copyright Melbourne, August 27. Referring to the London "Horning Post's" article on the Empire's sea defences, Senator Millen, Federal Defence Minister, lias pointed out that at the 1909 Imperial Conference provision was made for three units —namely, in the East Indies, China, and Australia. There.are now some vessels of tlio British Fleet in the Pacific, but the capital ships, wliich wore to bo an essential part of the two 'units,-have not so far been provided. This matter will, Mr. Millen says, bo discussed at a conference ho is endeavouring to arrange with the Imperial authorities. He is hopeful that, tlio result will be to secure joint action by the British Government and the Dominions to securo complete and satisfactory control of British interests in the Pacific.

LESSONS OF THEIR VISIT. Cape Town, August 26. The Australian warships, Australia and Sydney, have sailed for Simonstown. The "Cape Times" dwells on the object lesson afforded South Africa by the visit of Uhcse ships. . The Dutch organ "Onsland" says:— "If Britain lost the command of tho sea the links of Empiro would be snapped, and each portion would have- to shift for itself. In such event. South Africa would be at the mercy of the strongest naval Power, and who knows whether this new master would be such a champion of fu'll self-government as Britain, and willing at the same time to give the use of its fleet to lidld the waters free and safe ?" The "Onsland" favours the abolition of trade preference and the substitution of soniothing which would allow of an adequate direct contribution to the cost of, or some share in, Empire defence.

FLOATING REPAIR DOCK. FOR REPAIRING FIGHTING SHIPS. (Rec. August 27, 10.50 p.m.) London, August 27. The Admiralty has invited designs for a large floating self-contained factory for the new naval base at Cromarty, capable of executing all kinds ,of repairs for warships, without dry docking, and including a.foundry and other workshops operated electrically from a turbine station in the under-body of the dock below the water-line, while the superstructure will provide a permanent habitation for 130 officers and men.