NAVAL DEFENCE OF AUSTRALASIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9185, 7 September 1908, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE OF AUSTRALASIA.

THE VOICE OF THE ADMIRALTY. LONDON, September 4.. The "Daily Telegraph," in an article, says that so long as tKe security of Australasia depends primarily on the British Navy, the real governing voice concerning the direction of any Australian naval force must rest with the Admiralty, if it is to be employed to the best advantage. The paper adds: "Divided control would be fatal to concerted purpose and decisive action." MR DEAKIN'S UTTERANCES. COMMENTS BY THE "TIMES." ' Received September 7, I.SO a.m. LONDON, Septemoer 6. The "Times," in remarking that Lord Northcote end Mr Deakin have spoken admirably for Empire, replies to the comments of a section of the Amerihn press that, "It cannot be too widely realised that it is naval supremacy whereon depends the life of the Empire. Every separate part means supremacy in all waters of the world and that supremacy we are determined to maintain; and though we trust as younger Britains develop they may reinforce the Empire's naval power with ships and men, we cannot allow that power to decline because at present its burden falls almost entirely upon ourselves. Australia's passionate desire for racial purity has led some sections of Australian opinion to take a mistaken view of the British policy in the East, and the Australian public are sometimes slow to appreciate the policy of concentrating our main fighting strength in European waters. If Australians are intent on a white Australian ideal they are also growing more alive to the responsibilities it entails." The "Times" welcomes the spirit of popular awakening expressed by Mr Deakin's proposals for universal military training for coastal defence.