AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 195, 22 September 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE.

ENFORCING THE "WHITE AU6- 3 TRAUA" I«OUCV. DEPENDENCE UPON BRITAIN UNDESIRABLE. THE FEDERAL uKFENCE BIIL. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received September 22, 1«i.50 u.iu. ' Melbourne, Lust Nigflt. , Mr. Cook (Federal Minister lor De- ' fence) introduced tile Defence Bill, which was read a first time. The Opposition objected to taking uhe (second reading. The closure was applied. Tile second reading was proceeded with, several members of the Opposition leaving tho chamber. Mr. Cook, explaining the Bill, said Australia, had' grown to manhood and it was time they looked the question of defence fairly in tho face if they had to keep up the ideal of a "white Australia." He questioned if the country ought to depend upon Britain to enforce the ideal, which did not appeal niucn to the people of Britain. Then regarding the forces guarding tho Pacific, they were absolutely dependent on tiie treaty with Jajwn for the preservation of the peace of the Pacific islands, and the preparation for the future must, he said, keep the safety of the Empire in ' view. The Government nccepim i"< view that a fuller Imperial partnership was an indispensable condition of Umpire defence. ' He explained that the new naval scheme provided for a cruiser of the In- m defatigablc type, three armored cruisers " of the Bristol class, six destroyers of the improved River class, and three submarines. The total cost would be £3,750,000, and the annual cost of upkeep £750,000. The Imperial Government for some time would pay a quarter of the annual cost of upkeep. The. duty of controlling tie western Pacific would be undertaken by the Australian unit in conjunction with the New Zealand section of the China unit