DEFENCE OF EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 50, 28 February 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE.

THE PACIFIC FLEET. “OF SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE.” (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) (Received 0.20 a.m.) Melbourne, February 28. Commenting by cable, the Hon. Mr Pearce (Commonwealth Minister ol Defence) says that at the 1009 conference the Admiralty submitted a memorandum for a Pacific Fleet, to which Australia and Canada were to contribute a China unit, and to which the New Zealand ships would be allied, though under the Admiralty’s control, and the Australian Fleet unit warset out with the number of ships, their capacity and type, and it was agreed by the conference that they should be controlled, owned, and manned by Australia. “That,” says Mr Pearce, “is the scheme we are now carrying out. It is incorrect to say that the Admiralty proposed ‘one fleet, one control/ at the 1909 conference. Moreover, there was never a hint by the Admiralty at the 1011 conference that they regarded the idea of an Australian fleet unit, owned and control led by Australia as in any way entba l ' rassing, but as of substantial a.'-vust--1 ance.”