The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 18. AN AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 265, 18 March 1911, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 18. AN AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

It is fortunate that the great Australian Navy scheme suggested by Admiral Henderson should have been formulated during a period of almost unexampled prosperity. In a period of depression, no matter what clouds were dimming the Commonwealth horizon, the suggestion to spend large extra sums on the creation of a separate unit of the British Navy would have been unpopular. Australia probably has more "money to ,burn" than at any previous period, and, what is much more to the purpose, she it attracting people to her shores weekly. The complimentary references made to Australia's willingness to make sacrifices are easily managed. The only viewpoint Australians can take is that it is better to sacrifice money in the purchase of a navy than to sacrifice Australia. Australia's intention is less an intention to "shoulder Imperial responsibilities" than to protect Australia. There is no doubt whatever that the scheme of Admiral Henderson's will not be put into operation unamended. It will form a subject for endless political bickering, for navies are matters on which even the most local of politicians believes he has more knowledge than the most noted of admirals. A naval expert, in prescribing a system of defence for Australia, is probably guided by the expected events of the future; by the fact that the island continent is empty; that it contains enormous wealth; that it is a tempting country for the people of overcrowded lands; and that it is not adequately railroaded. Australia is continually blamed for being blind to the possibility of attack, but it is perfectly natural that Australia generally should appear to neglect precautions and to get on with the great work she is engaged in. Although the country is being forced to see the dangers that threaten, the average Australian is much more likely to show interest in the vast irrigation scheme at Barren Jack than in the ambitious scheme of naval protection. But when busy Australians see the futility of great works that are useless to them if they cannot be protected, except by the sacrifice of millions of money for a separate navy, the navy will be created. Another view is that the creation of an Australian navy will call the attention of covetous Powers to the Australian's belief that his country is worth holding for the white man. Admiral Henderson's scheme is, gauged on the necessities of the population of the Commonwealth, appalling m its dimensions, but the Admiral's point of view is not the size of the population, hut the length of the coastline, the vastness of the country, and the ease with which it might be attacked. It has been shown, should the Commonwealth take the advice of the Admiral without any modification, that Australia would pay each year for its navy a sum of three million pounds, which would increase until at the expiration of seventeen years the Commonwealth would be paying an annual sum of five million pounds for its fleet of fifty-two vessels, the earlier contributions to which might easily be obsolete before the expiration of the term. The creation of a Commonwealth navy, although not exactly a prophecy of war, would be an indication that war might be expected. The insurance premium of even five millions a year would be cheap enough considering the countless millions of pounds worth of property for which it gave "cover." The possession of a navy would be an inspiration to the progressive people of a land having vasteT possibilities than almost any other land on earth. A colonial navy, auxiliary to the Imperial Navy, would have an immense influence on covetous nations; it would increase the national spirit, create a continental pride, as apart from the State article, and immensely add to the importance of the country's status. Within the next seventeen years the great development schemes now in progress will be completed. It is likely that within the next decade the business of the Commonwealth will have doubled. It is more than likely that Australia, even if still in the possession of the white man, will in seventeen years contain six or seven millions of him, and that Australia will be much better able to foot the bill that she is even now. In relation to the "sacrifices" that the Australian must make if he is to have a navy as patterned by Admiral Henderson, it is interesting to remember that the sacrifices will cost less per head to the Australian than to the Britisher who stays at Home. Unless there ensues a period when, after international arbitration and agreement, warship building should cease, it seems reasonable enough to assume that New Zealand will i be asked to institute an auxiliary navy, for New Zealand still pays too little for naval protection. Admiral Henderson's view is necessarily naval, but he has seen, as Lord TCitehener saw, the immense strategical advantage of transcontinental railroads. This part of the Admiral's report will be gladly supported by every Australian, whether he is anti or pro-navy. Any advance that makes the position of the island continent stronger is an advantage to New Zealand, for the dangers that might threaten the Commonwealth might just as easily threaten this small Dominion. Although political federation of New J Zealand with Australia will probably

never again be attempted, there may be sound reasons in the future why there should be a Naval Federation of Australasia. Such a tie would be more binding and of greater interest and utility than mere sentimental ties so often referred to by politicians at decorative ceremonies.