THE BRITISH NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 31 May 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY

SEPARATE SQUADRON SUGGESTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. London, May 29. The Telegraph outlines a scheme whereby the Dominions and the Home Government should organise a separate Imperial service squadron with a base at Gibraltar, supported by fixed yearly .contributions and under the control of an Imperial committee, the squadron to visit the Dominions. 1 THE GIBRALTAR CONFERENCE. Received; 30, 11.40 p.m. Malta, May 30. Mr. Asquith, Mr. Churchill and Lord Kitchener have landed, and are arranging to confer aboard the yacht Enchantress. It is stated in official circles that though the Enchantress will exchange courtesies with the French squadron, the rumors attributing an international political character to the conference are unfounded. Lord Kitchener is merely taking advantage of the Ministers' presence near Egypt to express to them his views on the situation in the Mediterranean. AUSTRALIA'S POSITION. Received 31, 12.45 a.m. London, May 30. The Telegraph says that since the naval agreement in 1909 the British policy has been powerfully affected by the renewal of the alliance with Japan, and it is not expected to increase the pressure of navai armaments in Europe. Consequently, the naval situation in the Pacific, where no peril threatens British interests, is subordinated by recent events to tho new naval situation in Northern Europe. Therefore, the agreement of 1909 will not be carried out. This leaves the Commonwealth with a fleet unit built under that agreement. The question arises whether the Commonwealth, reverting to the spontaneous offer of 1009, will follow New Zealand's example and contribute a battle-cruiser to serve in Europe with the Royal Navy, or, despite the changed conditions, abide by the letter of the bond. Possibly the Admiralty will be unable to spare crews for Australian vessels if they leave Europe, as the fleet is already short in its personnel.