EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9582, 31 August 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

THE NEW NAVY AGREEMENT. . AUSTRALIA'S POSITION. United Press Association—r>y .j.cctric Telegraph Copyright. Received August 30, 10 20 a.m. MELBOURNE, August SO. Mr A. Fisher, ex-Federal Premier, regards the new Navy Agreement with serious misgivings. The agreement means, he says, that there will be no Australian 1 Navy, but an improved Imperial squadron for Australia. If so, it was a huge national blunder. If it means a greater contribution by the Commonwealth towards the creation of an Australian Navy by the Motherland, it is less to be condemned. If the agreement means a real Australian Navy, then the only mistake was that it was mixed up with a loan policy. To build up a fleet or an army out of ban money would end in disaster, and kill the national pride of the people. THE NAVAL COLLEGE. MUSTJBE BEGUN AT ONCE. Received August 30, 10.30 a.m. SYDNEY, August 30." The Federal Minister for Defense Hon. Joseph Cook, referring to the satisfactory results cf the Defence Conference,, says the Government will have to begin at once to establish a naval college of first-class quality., "BRITAIN WANTS CRUISERS." LORD BERESFORD'S VIEWS. Rceieved August 30, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, August 29. LorJ Beresford, in a conversation, reported in the "Montreal Witness," stated:—"We want cruisers, and we will have them. If the trade route between Canada and Britain is not kept clear disaster will follow. Armed tramps are what we have to fear. Dreadnoughts are only for going along;with a large fleet." He added:—"Crusiers can pursue armed tramps and prevent the destruction of commerce. Cruisers are much better for the colonies."