The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1913. THE SEA SENSE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1880, 14 October 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1913. THE SEA SENSE.

The magnificent reception given to the Australian fleet on its arrival in Sydney Harbour on Octobcr, 4, as indicated by files to hand by last night's mail, showed in a most unmistakable manner that the , people of tho Commonwealth fully recognised ('that the occasion was one of grea,t historic importance. Everyone seemed to realise that it was a day to be remembered, and the whole city w.as permeated by a spirit of patriotic enthusiasm which was an absolutely overwhelming reply to those narrow-visioned anti-militarist agitators who persist in declaring that the defence movement, of which that grey and grim procession 1 of warships was a tangible and impressive result, does not have the 'sympathy and support of the great mass of the Australian people. Ships of the British' Navy aro always welcome in every part of the_ Empire, and they have a way of stirring up the , patriotic instincts of Britishers the world over; but the arrival of the Australian fleet at Sydney was something much more than an ordinary visit of this character. It was a unique event in the annals of Australia, and in the naval history of tho Empire. The -vast crowds which lined the streets of Sydney and the shores of the harbour felt that history was being made, and that they themselves were helping to make it. That fleet was their fleet. It might be a comparatively small beginning, but it marked a new departure —a parting of the ways—and it was destined to havo a far-reach-ing influence in regard to the relationship between the _ Motherland and tho Overseas Dominions as far as the defencc of the Empire is concerned.

, The latest Sydney papers contain graphic accounts of the arrival and reception of the fleet-, and also reports of some _ very interesting speeches emphasising the significance of the celebrations. Lord Desman made some references to naval policy which are all thc s more arresting in view of the fact- that one who holds the high position of GovernorGeneral of Australia is compelled to weigh his words on such a subject very carefully indeed. In dealing with the local navy question and the matter of control in time of eiuer'gene.y, Loud Denman said: —

"For Australia the policy oC a local uavv ii. a sound policy ai»i n Tight policy. There is a system, as 1 flare say you aro iiuitrc. uf "iml.i'lmiiMh. which i*" Nvuurcd b.v fOS o\npvf,-. ;>t tho ,\tlmirnltr. t saw without hesitation, that system is out ofillfl uuesU'vu for,, Australia."at t.lie p.l'Oiont Urn®, and. i bollovo will bo out ot tno

question for all time, Tho ideal at which Australia aims is a fleet owned and manned and controlled, and, let me add, paid for by the people of Australia— (cheers)—ready not only in tlmo oC war but in time of any emergency to co-oper-ate with the squadrons of tho Royal Navy —indeed, wherever the ships of tho Royal Australian Navy can bo most usefully employed. I take my remarks in this connection to bo thoso of a plain, average Englishman, who has had tho same opportunities as 1 havo had of observing what Australia has been' doing in this matter of Australian defencc. And tho feeling uppermost in my mind is one of gratitude, deop and sincere, for what Australia has done in aiding Iho naval strength of tho Empire. This question of centralised control in the event of war is an absolutely vital one, and it is gratifying to find that' among responsible people in Australia there is complete unanimity of opinion on this point. The Commonwealth fleet- is not isolated and self-contained, but part and parcel of tho King's Navy. It is tho "lloyal Australian Navy," paid for, owned, and controlled by the people of Australia, but rqady in any emergency to bo placed immediately and unreservedly at the disposal of the Imperial authorities so that it may be used to the best advantage for the defence of the Empire. On this point both Mr. Cook (the Federal Prime Minister) and Mr. Fisher (tho Leader of tho Opposition) are in entire agreement, and it is quite certain that the Australian democracy would_ brook no wavering from the principle of one Imperial fleet under one central control in time of war.

11l his speech at the naval banquet Mr. Cook said: "It is time to begin to develop the sea. senso in Australia." This is very true, and it is just as true of New Zealand as it is of the Commonwealth. It is, of course, absolutely necessary that the ships of tho British Navy should bo the best in tho world, but it is equally, if not evon more, necessary that there should be a regular and sufficient supply of seamen of the best type to man them. Tho "sea senso" cannot be developed to any extent in New Zealand, or anywhere else, unless adequate are provided for acquiring a practical knowledge of seamanship. We come of a race that has for centuries, produced the best seamen in the world, and if we provided the opportunity for training in our own waters the latent "sea sense" of . our people would soon come to the surface, and there would be no lack of men to man the warships which the Dominion must ultimately secure. Tho old money contribution system can never arouse that onthusiasm for the Navy which would bo engendered by personal service and direct responsibility, and in view of this fact our new naval policy ought to go in the direction of doing something to satisfy that pride of possession— that desire for something wo can call our own—which every nation ought to feel; and given that the natural and inevitable development of the "sea sense" will ensure that the supply of young New Zealanders for the, Navy will keep pace with the facilities available in these waters for training them. We must, of course, begin in a small way, but it is essential that tho first steps, however modest, should be on right lines, and in this connection somo remarks made by Admiral Patey are deserving of careful consideration. He- said he regarded the manning question as one of the most important features of Australian naval policy. "Personnel," he declared, "is always a much more important 'matter than material. In the old days it was always tho wellmanned and properly-equipped ship which won; therefore, it is necessary for those'who have to frame policies in theso matters to look well ahead, and not to havo anything to do with a hand-to-mouth policy. Spasmodic efforts are unsatisfactory." The < Admiral is said to be highly pleased" with tho quality of the men which Australia is giving him for the manning of its fleet, and there is every reason to believo that New Zealand would be able and_ willing to do quite as well in ( this matter.