EMPIRE’S DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 8

EMPIRE’S DEFENCE

THE DEFENCE COMMITTEE CLAIMS OF OPPOSITION REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND. SUGGESTION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS, By-'Eelegiaph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, January 25Iq the House of Commons. Mr Douglas Hall, ALP. for the Isle of Wight, suggested that if the overseas Ministers added representatives of the Opposition in Parliament to attend the Defence Committee, it would enable tho committee’s decision to represent all parts of tho Empiro and all parties of the State. . Tho Premier, Mr Asquith, said that although hitherto ho had not considered it advisable to summon politicians not responsible for tbo conduct of affairs, ho did not think the limitation necessarily applied to subcommittees investigating particular problems.

AUSTRALIAN NAVY. TRIALS OF BATTLE-CRUISER AUSTRALIA. LONDON, January 25. The battle-cruiser Australia, 18,000 tons, of the Australian fleet, will commence her trials on Pebruary Bth, concluding at Spithead on March 4th. DOCKYARD AT COCKATOO ISLAND. “A !KM>AT,L COMMENCEMENT.” CEREMONY OE LAYING THRE& I’ iKTiR. (Received January 26, 5.5 pan.) SYDNEY, January 26. The dockyard at Cockatoo Island iv as yesterday handed over by New South Wales to the Commonwealth, on the understanding that it will be available for the repairing of ships belonging to any section of the Empire's navy. The ceremony of the laying of three keels ft>r the Australian navy was also performed, namely, the torpedo boat destroyed Derwent and Torrens, and the protected cruiser Brisbane, Mr Pearce, Minister of Defence, said that these were only a small commencement, and critics dubbing the Australian navy a mosquito fleet must remember that the British Navy originated in a fleet of galleys, Mr Pearce said he believed that Australia could develop her navy similarly, and ho was confident that the time was not distant when they would bo able to build even Dreadnoughts here. NEW ZEALAND'S VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA - (Received January 20, 5.5 p.m.) CAPETOWN, January 26. The New Zealand’s visit is arousing widespread interest in South Africa, It is hoped that she will sojourn in Table Bay, as well as at Simons' Bay.

SOUTH: AFRICAN NAVAL PROPOSALS. CAPETOWN, January 25. parliament has been opened. The Speech from the Throne indicated that the Government desires further consultation with the Imperial Government before submitting definite naval proposals. BATTLESHIP NEW ZEALAND. (Received January 26, &5 p.m.) LONDON, January 26. Admiral May inspected the battleship New Zealand.