PROPOSED AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3002, 26 September 1908, Page 5

PROPOSED AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

I HALF-PAY AND RETIRING I ALLOWANCES. Received September 25, 8.10 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 25. The Admiralty, in its estimate of the cost of the personnel of the proi posed Australian Navy, includes halfj pay and retiring allowances of officers, and pensions and gratuities to the men on the assumption that the pay will be precisely the same as in the Imperial Navy. The experience of the Admiralty under the present agreement has convinced their Lordships that any attempt to combine a higher rate of pay in Australia with the ordinary .conditions of pay and service prevailing in the Imperial Navy must be abandoned. They recognise' that the carrying out of the scheme will involve many difficulties, but it is hoped, with a readiness on both sides to attempt to overcome them, that satisfactory arrangements may be concluded. PRESS COMMENT. Received September 25, 9.42 p.m. LONDON, September 25. The "Chronicle" says that the Admiralty v*ry properly stipulated that iaa war time its control of the Australian navy must be absolute. Nothing is more certain than mat Australia will be unable for many years tto assume sole responsibility in ■eamaection with her naval de fence- Her safety depends on the Kriittsfa oavy,, and will continue so.