NAVY FOR AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 233, 25 September 1908, Page 3

NAVY FOR AUSTRALIA.

THE AUililiALi i b PKui'USALS. Keceived 2a, 0.45 a.m. Melbourne, Seyieuimr 24. Mr, Deakin tabled tiie correspoudenco with the Admiralty in reference to his proposal to establish an Australian fleet, The soheme, as understood .by the Admiralty, is for the Commonwealth to equip and maintain a liotnia of six destroyers, seven submarines and two depot'ships; men to be supplied by the Imperial Government, as many as possible to be Australian citizens; the administrative control to remain with the Commonwealth subject to the Admiralty conditou. The estimateu total cost of the ships is £1,277,500, and the Admiralty consider the annual maintenance, including repairs, stores, .tad other items, would be £IBO,OOO, and tile pay of (1) otneers and 1125 men i £160,000 making a total annual cost Of £340,000.

Received 25, 1.5 a.m. Melbounre, September 24. The Admiralty consider that security from over-sea attack of the Empire would generally best be secured by the operation of the Imperial Navy distributed as the strategical necessities of the moment dictate. At the same time they recognise that under certain conditions the establisunicnt of a local flotilla, acting in conjunction with the Imperial force, would greatly assist latter, though they recognise the importance of providing full security for the coastal towns of the Commonwealth by provision for a local squadion. They are ready io co-operate with 'Australia in the formation of such a flotilla subject to a satisractoiy arrangement in regard to toe general administration of the force being entered Sato.

LORD BBASSIiY'S SATISFACTION. Received 24, 11 p.m. London, September 24. LopM Brassey, in a letter to hV, {Times, expresses profound satisfaction with the Admirafty' s new policy in regard to Australian dcTencc. A loan of cruisers, he says, woiua be a great sen trice to Australia at little cost to Bri'tain, who, being bound to continue building, would always have vessels to Spare. Lord Brassey suggests that cruisers of the Spartan and Crescent. 4ype are desirable, and advises the Ad hnjiralty to carry out the policy ungrudgingly, lending more than two (cruisers if there be good use for more, also to freely lend officers and instruct tors in the inaugural stage. The handing over the cruisers should be done with all the pomp and spectacular effect possible.