CHANGES AT THE ADMIRALTY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 10 January 1917, Page 3

CHANGES AT THE ADMIRALTY.

Outside the Roumanian debacle and the aerial raids, the three things upon

which conversation has turned have

boon the changes at the 'Admiralty, tho Government decision to take over the South Wales coal mines, and its tardy recognition of the fact that in the volunteers the Old Country possesses a really valuable military asset. As regards the transfer of Admiral Jellicoe from the command of the Grand Fleet to Whitehall, and the appointment of Admiral Beatty in his place, those things have met with the cordial approval of press and public. The "man in the street'' has for a long time past been under the impression that the Admiralty required—to use the common phrase —"gingering up," and that the inexplicable failure of oun navy to frustrate enemy efforts in certain directions, or to make tho foe pay dearly for his enterprise, was caused by a lack of mental vigour in Whitehall. We did not believe that there was any "Unseen Hand'' tit work to reduce the efficiency of the navy, but were fairly certain that some happenings not entirely to our liking might be traced to the Fossil Hand at headquarters. Admiral Jellicoe, we believe, can be trusted to give the fossil hand short shrift wherever he may find it, and if the character given to him by those who have had the closest touch with him is correct, he has enough "ginger," in his composition to go round Whitehall and leave a bit over for application to Downing Street if necessary. Of Admiral Beatty's appointment to commander of the Grand Fleet it need only be said that the man in the street has had no criticism to offer. He believes in Beatty, and his belief is shared by those who have had the best opportunity for '' sizing him up.'' The officers and men who have served under him look upon Beatty as a secodn Nelson, and the public is very much inclined to accept their estimate of a man who has, during the war, proved that he is the possessor of qualities seldom found in one man; swift intuition,, rapid decision, resolute and daring —a born fighting admiral.

We look for much from the JellicoeBeatty regime, for. Sir John has proved himself a great administrator, and Sir David is undoubtedly "a bonny fighter." Between them Whitehall is likely to get as much gingering up as it requires, and that is saying a good deal