SPLENDID BEGINNING

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2127, 20 April 1914, Page 5

SPLENDID BEGINNING

AUSTRALIA. AND NAVAL DEFENCE.

SPEECH BY LORD PENMAN

By Tdesrraplt-Pross Areaciation-Copyright April 18. Lord Denman, tho retiring GovernorGeneral, speaking at a' farewell dinner, and discussing defence, said that maybo tho expenditure to which Australia was committed would provo a strain on the resources of the Commonwealth; ,rct tho maintenance , of tho highest standard was worthy of every effort. Australia had made a splendid beginning, and it would be a sad thing if her efforts were relaxed. Hβ addod that Australia was the most British of all the Dominions. Ho would interview Mr. Churchill (First Lord of tho Admiralty) and put before him the Australian view of tho navel question

NEW ZEALAND'S FLEET UNIT. SIR JOSEPH WArFaIRS HIMSELF IN SYDNEY. / Sydney, April 18. ' Sir Joseph Ward, in reply to tho remarks made at Milton by tho Hon. James Allen, Now Zealand's Defence Minister, said tho Minister appeared to have alluded to a speech delivered by him (Sir Joseph) at the Imperial Con-' ference, also to a'speech in the Houso of Representatives. "At this distance, however, it is not eaey to take^the. remarks very seriously, becaiiso in each instance where a point was intended the wholo text of my remarks has been left out. It must, however, be self-ovidont ttwt Mr. Allen cannot expeot anyone to lako his statement as to the cost of a local-navy being other than entirely misleadinir. Obviously, the Bristol cruiser j Mr. Allen talks of gettine. can bo only a poor nuoleus of a sea force. To bo efficient, tho first Bristol must bo followed, by en enormous expenditure at an early date." Sir Joseph Ward added that he was looking forward to the annual statement in connection with th* expenditure on tho Australian Navy. He had never taken a- narrow view of tho polioy of Australians—their courage was magnificent—but he was etill confident that the wisest course for Now Zealand was a direct subsidy to tho British Navy. When he was in oftioft thft British Government had agreed to send two Bristols. throe destroyera,- end two submarines to No-f Zealand. No intimation of any alteration of this intention had been mado during his tjme. A great change had taken place pinco Mr. Allen's visit to England.. "It would bo more important if Mr. Allen, instead of spending his time in misroDresonting me, let the people of' New Zealand know what transpired to brine: about a vital change in a fixed policy." '