NAVAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1920, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE.

TASK FOR DOMINIONS. SAFETY OF EMPIRE INVOLVED. By Telegnph.—Press Aran —Copyright. Received June 8, 10.15 p.m. London, June ?. Speaking at a Western Australian dinner, at which the Agent-General, the .Hon. J. D. Connolly, presided, Admiral Lord Beatty, who proposed the toast of Western Australia, referred to the work of the Australian Navy during the war.

He said it rendered great assistance towards the capture of German possessions, and it had the honor of capturing the first German war vessel, the Comet. "The destruction of the notorious Eraden was another achievement of which Australia may well be proud," added Lord Beatty. '"The first vessel to penetrate the Sea of Marmora was an Australian submarine, and later H.M.S. Australia, Melbourne, and Sydney came under my own personal observation, where I had an oppbrtunity of recoghising the Australians as seamen find fighting men."

The Australian Nary had justified its existence, and was of'the greatest help to the British Empire in carrying out the struggle. The war was over, and the menace of the Getman navy had passed away. "We are now trying to utilise the experience of the war in order to see that the sacrifices of five years shall not be made in vain," he proceeded. '.'First'and foremost we learn that the naval co-operation of the Dominions must form an integral part of Empire defence. As an Empire our Btrength lies in our common interests, and what we have to devise to-day is the cooperation of the Dominions in the naval defence of the Empire. "The Australian Navy is "an excellent example of * what that form should take. A navy based upon the Dominions' ports will be most efficacious. The safety of the Empire depends upon the security of its Communications, and the control of those gea communications is the problem of fmperip." defence, and it extends to every sea. The Dominions can exercise this control in their own maritime areas and therefore their protection will have a strong military value. "Westralia, with her naval ports, can play an important part in naval defence. Naval defence implies the provision' of personnel and repairing facilities, and finally the building of warships, but the personnel is the most, important factor. Everything should be done to make the people understand the part the navy has to play in the future development of the Commonwealth, and in the safety of the Empire."—AU3.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

VALUE OP UNION. TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIANS. MORE POPULATION WANTED. Received June 8, 10.45 p.m. London, June 7. Admiral Beatty said Australia was joined to the British Empire, and it was due to the command of the sea. Referring to emigration, Admiral Beatty regretted that movements to Australia were handicapped by a lack of shipping, but he trusted the obstacles would soon lie overcome. But a larger flow of shipping mbans the development of sea power, and that is summed up in the fact that Westralia depends for its progress on the command of the sea. This same condition applied to every unit of the Empire. He hoped parochial ideas Would be put •side, and that every membei of the Empire would realise" that disaster to one part of the Empire was disaster to the whole. He hoped they Would devise a scheme of naval defence equitable to individual requirements and commitments, and that would make the world a better place to live in. Westralia gave a great example during the war, forty per cent, of her men enlisting. He was sure Westralia would maintain this effort In regard to naval development. .Every naval officer Would ! support him in the statement that "for | true patriotism and the highest ideals, yon have to go beyond the seas." Mr. Connolly, replying stressed the ! need for more equal distribution of the Empire's man power. Australia, with a vast territory and a meagre population, was the most vulnerable part of the Empire, but if filled with a British population it would give the surest, cheapest, and best defence.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.