AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 299, 10 May 1913, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

THE NAVAL BASE. BUILDING BATTLESHIPS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Adelaide, May 9. The Commonwealth (lag was unfurled oil the site proposed for the naval base at Cockburn Sound, which was named by Admiral Henderson as the fleet base. Mr. Pearce, at the ceremony, stated that the base would comprise the appurtenances of a complete dockyard, and the Government was considering building complete slips for building battleship cruisers, besides ship-repairing sections. The floating dock which was to be built would accommodate the largest warships afloat.

MR. FISHER'S VIEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Friday. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher returned from Australia by the Niagara. Interviewed, he said the reciprocal agreement with, Australia had been completed and signed. After the approval of Cabinet it would be submitted to the Parliaments of both countries simultaneously. He repudiated the assertion that the Australian Labor Party was unsound o» 'defence. They knew the price that must be paid for a White Australia. The Rustralian Navy was not a jam-tin fleet. The flagship was a sister to our battleship, and the Melbourne was a model of up-to-date shipbuilding. He inspected all the Australian ships, docks and depots, and the day was not far distant when Australia would not merely repair her warships but would build tlieui. It was hoped that before many months the whole strength of the Australian fleet would visit New Zealand and demonstrate the real strength of Australia's determination in the matter of naval defence.