OUR DEFENCES.
PLEA FOR SUPPORT OF NAVY.
STARTLING STATEMENT OF BRITISH ADMIRAL.
By Telegraph—Preas Association—Copyrigh Bcceived 12.10 a.m., May 25. Sydney, May 24. Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s luncheon, I Admiral Fanshawe, dealing with the navy, s aid he was very much impressed with the ( extreme vulnerability of Australia and New Zealand. The centres of population were invitingly near tho sea. If the British fleets in the Eastern seas were destroyed oi disabled he greatly feared the capture of the cities would be an easy matter, and when captured the subjugation of the countries would follow. These matters Called for practical consideration. There was no man who did not wish to have for his country liberty to manago her affairs in her own way. He would suggest, and it was certainly his own opinion, that that liberty could only be'got one way, by getting the navy up to such a strength as would make it an awful risk for an enemy to undcrtaUe to send an army and helpless transports across the sea to invade either Australia or New Zealand. Was it fair and just that the maintenance of the navy whereon our liberty and safoty depend should almost entirely be borne by taxpayers of the old country ? The contributions of Australia and New Zealand at present were extrome'y small. He would venture to mako a suggestion, emanating entirely from himself, that Australia and New Zealand should offer to meet the cost of mainfe nines cf tha squadron he commanded. It would mean about .£440,000 per annum, not, of course, including tho capital cost of tho ships or the interest thereon. Ho added that a largo part of tho money came back, as tho fleet passed a groat deal of tho time at ' Australian ports. He paid a tribute to Australians and New Zealanders as soldiers and sailors, and concluded by stating that during the time ho had been on tho Australian station all whom he bad met agrood with the sentiments he had expressed. Mr Carruthers and others made patriotic speeches.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1463, 25 May 1905, Page 2
Word Count
342OUR DEFENCES. Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1463, 25 May 1905, Page 2
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