AUSTRALIAN DEFENCES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2770, 31 January 1895, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCES.

Sydney, Jan. 29. Admiral Bridge stated in the course of an interview that he considered the harbor defences of most of the Australian ports sufficiently strong, and he did not believe the Imperial authorities would raise any objection if it was decided to make the Auxiliary Squadron purely Australian. He expressed himself confident everything would be done to meet the wishes of the people of the colonies. However, such a departure needed the gravest consideration, and there wore many reasons against the proposal. The Australian Squadron was in a thoroughly efficient state, but the agreement under which the vessels of the Auxiliary Squadron were restricted to Australian waters, whether in time of peace or war, without the consent of all t ie colonies, seemed a possible element of danger, and might cause publicity and delay when promptitude and secrecy wore necessary. ’The position of Australia with regard to an outside attack looked safe enough at present, but it was impossible to tell what the future might bring forth, find they should look ahead. If England wore en;aged in war Australia would be greatly cone .rued, as the first aim of a belligerent power would lie to cut off the food supplies, and cripple the Australian trade.