NAVAL DEFENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3782, 9 January 1908, Page 2

NAVAL DEFENCE.

Admiral Fawkes, speaking at a banquet at Invercargill on Tuesday, said he was proud to be the first Admiral to fly the flag in the inner harbour of the Bluff, He enumerated what the flag stood for to New Zealand. It had placed the present people in the Dominion and insured them peace and protection, enabling them to make a progress in a comparatively short time which was the wonderment of visitors from the Old Land. He emphasised the necessity for the Empire hanging, together. There was no certainty that peace would last, and it was the duty of citizens to be prepared to guard their hearths and homes. The Navy must be kept up, particularly in regard to the way in which its organisation was controlled. He had received the best reports of the New Zealander and Australian in the Navy. Regarding the Naval agreement, he was of opinion that the Naval control was best as at present, iu the hands of the Admiralty, who should be able to move the ships to sea wherever the attack threatened. It was better to keep possible enemies from our waters than to beat them on our shores. Time might bring new developments, but the best development was the gradual training up of men from all parts of the Empire in the Navy. The Premier, speaking at the same function, said if, in conjunction with the present work they were carrying out, the Government could get a suitable ship to accommodate iooo youths, the Government were prepared to pay for its upkeep, and the country would endorse that action. The Government would go further, they would provide pensions for the lads after they had completed their services. The population would one day be many millions, and the Government had to assist those in charge.