DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 36, 5 October 1912, Page 6

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

SECTIONAL NAVIES. SIR JOSEPH WARD CRITICISED. (.Received 9.35 a.m.) Melbourne, October 5. Mr Pearce characterises as preposterous the suggestion that early morning drills for. the cadets should be substituted for night drills. Discussing Sir Joseph’s Ward scheme of defence, Mr Pearce said Sir Joseph Ward did not give reasons fldvy lie was unable to conceive the idea of an Australian squadron defending British interests in the Pacific. Sir Joseph Ward at the Imperial Conference admitted tire idea of a Pacific fleet, to which, the Dominion should contribute their unit, was advanced by the Admiralty, and that indicated that sectional navies were not regarded with disfavour by the Admiralty. By agreement, which Sir Joseph Ward proposed on behalf of New Zealand, Sir Joseph Ward was prepared to take, the control of portion of the ChinaPacific unit out of the hands of New Zealand. Mr Pearce considers that according: to the view Sir Joseph Ward now; takes, the proposal he (Sir Joseph Ward) then made to Admiral Hall, had all the disadvantages of a sectional navy and none of its advantages. It did not appeal to local patriotism, and must hamper the Admiralty in administration. Mr Pearce added that in these cases Sir Joseph Ward’s proposals and comments were 'inconsistent with the Australian policy which does not hamper the Admiralty and leaves us free to develop the naval spirit of the Commonwealth.