THE WHITE FLEET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9182, 3 September 1908, Page 5

THE WHITE FLEET.

, A LESSON FOR AUSTRALIANS. Received September 2, 9.25 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 2. The Hon. A. Deakin, Federal Premier, speaking at a dinner given by the Yacht Club to the American officers, said Australians had for the first time seen a fleet of battleships, and they would do well to study the policy behind the men and the guns. Australians could not be content to accept their defence ultimately at any other hands than their own. ILLUMINATIONS SPOILT. A DRAWN FOOTBALL MATCH. Received Ssptember 2, 8.40 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 2. Rain spoilt the illuminations last night. Large crowds, however, braved t ! ie elements. A football match for the championship uf the fleet, between teams representing the warships Minnesota and Kentucky, resulted in a draw. Admiral Sperry and a large contingent visited the Agricultural Show. Receive] September 3, 12.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 2. The rough, rainy weather continues. Admiral Sperrv, replying to an address from the Metropolitan Board of Works, said that the opportunity of making the acquaintance of Australia in the interest and development of the Pacific t;rritories belonging to the two powers The stronger Australia made the line 3 of communication not only with 'Frisco but with Vancouver the more secure would be the position. Not only would Australia by this route come closer to her sister in the Empire, the great Dominion of Canada. ( but therein was the route to a great and essentia] neutral power. The route was so removed geographically from assault and so secure thai, it had a double interest developing it. because it gives a secure road to the Home country and the shortest at that.