Australia's Navy

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 269, 14 April 1914, Page 5

Australia's Navy

POLICY REMAINS UNALTERED. NO NOTICE OF MR. CHURCHILL. By Cable —Press Association- -Copyright Sydney, April 13. The Minister of Defence has issued a comprehensive statement of the Federal naval policy, in view of Mr. Churchill's recent speech. He quotes Mr. Churchill as saying that the battle craiser is not a necessary part of a fleet unit provided by the dominions, that the preiefic# of such vessels in the Pacific is not necessary in British interests, and compares this with the advice given by the Imperial Government at the 1909 Conference, when it was stated that the smallest fleet which should be aimea m should consist of an armored cruiser of the Dreadnought type, three unarmored cruisers of the Bristol type, six destroyers, and three submarines. The Admiralty was then of the opinion that three battle cruisers were necessary in the Pacific. This view was endorsed by Admiral Henderson in 1911. AustriUans joined in heartily hoping that the good understanding with Japan would continue indefinitely./ At the same time it would be difficult to accept the existence of that alliance as a reason for the departure from the naval programme adopted, for the pages of history were •trewn with the wreckage of fruitless alliances. In any case, the present one may not be renewed. He concludes: — "Australia is irrevocably pledged to Md will pursue with determination the policy agreed upon with the Imperial Government five years ago, and will not be deflected by the remarks of the First Lord of the Admiralty regarding the task undertaken, which is vital to the cause of Imperial defence, and essential as a safeguard for our own protection."

EULOGY OF AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN. v Received 13, 1020 p.m. . London, April 12. Sir George Reid states that Admiral Patty told him he was more tban pleated with the battleship Australia and the «eamsn, of whom he spoke in the highsat terms. Sir George adds that their readiness to serve and their obedience -to discipline should silence British detractors. The position in the Far East was The time must j£bme when India must help to maintain > fleet in the Pacific, and Canada must 4P the same, though her position differed in several respects from Australia.

TORIES SUPPORT LOCAL NAVY POLICY. THE JAPANESE ALLIANCE DISTASTEFUL Received 13, 9.55 p.m. London, April 13. The Chronicle says: "Mr. Churchill has recognised and rightly abstained from blaming the dominions' feeling in favor of local fleets, but it needs more tban recognition—it should be made the foundation of the Admiralty's policy towards the dominions. Until then there WbjSpnd to be a certain amount of unrjpHty and misunderstanding in reciprof ell naval ■ arrangements. Mr. Millen's Sydney speech strengthens this moral. We may regret Australia's frank confession that Australian sentiment dislikes ttie Japanese Alliance, and simultaneously hkit that battle-cruisers are required to make a show against Japan, but the sentiment exists. Meanwhile, Mr. Millen ■does not rise to the suggestion of an Imperial squadron, and really, after the Commonwealth has been encouraged to build a Dreadnought for Australian waters, why should he?"