AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 246, 23 February 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

THE LOCAL NAVY UNIT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, February 22. Admiral King Hall expressed the opinion that the establishment of the local navy unit would not tend to cut the painter, but would rather lead to the solidifying of the naval strength of the Empire. UNIFYING RAH. VAY GAUGE. Received 22, 8.20 p.m. Melbourne, February 22. The War Railways Council ha:-, recommended that for defence purposes an uniform gauge of 4ft. 8 l / 2 in. be ado/ted on main trunk lines connecting the capitals of the various States, the cost of alteration to be divided between the States and the Commonwealth, the latter bearing a substantial share.

A MINISTERIAL DENIAL. "" Received 23, a.m. , Melbourne, February 22. The Minister of Defence declares that the reported decision of the War Railway Conference is misleading and inaccurate. He says he is the only Minister who has seen the report. ADMIRAL POORE'S FAREWELL. WHITE ENSIGN WILL DISAPPEAR. Received 22, 8.20 p.m. Sydney, February 22. The new Admiral took over command to-day. Admiral Poore, in bidding farewell to the PowcrfuPs crew, said it would be only two years, perhaps, before the White Ensign would disappear from Australian waters, and its place be taken by the Commonwealth flag, which he hoped would take care of the Bpas in this part of the world as the British flag had done.