AUSTRALIA TO HAVE A NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 176, 18 August 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIA TO HAVE A NAVY

FLEET OP PAST CRUISERS. THE IMPERIAL DEFENCE SCHEME. AN EFFECTIVE PART. DEFINITE CONFERENCE ARRANGEMENTS. By Gable.—Press Association.—Copyrigl Received 17, 11.35 ji.m. Loud.ni, August 17. It Is understood tint arrangemencs have been arrived at between the Admiralty and the Commonwealth in connection with the Defence Conference, and subject to the Commonwealth's ratification, that are entirely satisfactory to the Australian national sentiment. It is stated that the Commonwealth will retain the completest possible con-1 trol of the Australian Navy in peace time. The ships' will not pas* automatically under the Admiralty's control in wartime, but be pliieed at the Admiralty's disposal hy the Commonwealth if and when the necessity arises. It is freely recognised that the Navy in war time must be under one central and undivided control.

The Australian Navy scheme agreed upon, while providing the best form ot defence for Australia, will constitute really an effective part of Imperial defence whenever and Wherever Imperial interests are assailed.

The plan is described as being in complete consonance with the ideas of the Admiralty and may be regarded as a triumph for AtiHtmliu. There is reason to believe that the Dreadnought as such will not be the form of the Commonwealth eontribn "(in. The Admiralty has' shown its de- : i- to do iln utmost to meet Australia's aspirations to possess its own Navy. As has been pu'iitcd out the value of a Dreadnought el one in Australian waters would not lie great, and an advance would be seen in substituting fast cruisers.

Whilo Australia's warships at the outset must be built in England, and men and officers drawn for some time from the Imperial navy, ample provision will be made to interchange the officers. Thus the Australian navy, if not an integral part of tlic Imperial navy, will be of the same standard in all essentials.

One of the great Australian ports will remain an Imperial naval base establishment. One or more training colleges in Australia, while forming no part of the Conference programme, must be regarded as the foundation whereon the Commonwalth will build its personnel for the Australian navy. •