AUSTRALIAN NAVY,

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 171, 21 July 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NAVY,

CONTROL OF THE FLEET. I (Received 9.30 a.m.) MELBOUENE, this day. Referring to Admiral Sir Richard Poore's remarks, Mr. Fisher stated that the Australian navy would be under the control of the Australian Government. He hoped for the co-operation of the navies of British possessions to preserve the peace of the world. The relations of the Imperial an_ Commonwealth Governments as to the control of the Australian navy are set out as follows in the first annual report of the Dominions Department of the Colonial Office, which has reached the Minister for External Affairs. These vessels should be manned, as far as possible, by Australian officers and seamen, and the numbers required to make up the full complement for immediate requirements should be lent by the Royal navy. In peace time, and while on the Australian station, this fleet unit will be under the exclusive control of the Commonwealth Government as regards its movements and general administration. Ail the officers and men should be governed by regulations similar to the Government's regulations, and be under naval discipline; and when with vessels of the Royal navy, the senior officer should take command of the whole. Further, -when placed by the Common- ■ wealth at the disposal of i_e Admiralty, j in war time, all vessels shall be under j control of the Naval Commander-in-Chief.