"HAVE YOUR OWN NAVY."

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 76, 29 March 1924, Page 13

"HAVE YOUR OWN NAVY."

r VICE-ADMIRAL'S ADVICE.

jjjjjjrCHANGE OF PERSONNEL

ESSENTIAL TO EFFICIENCY

MELBOURNE, March IS. in his palatial after-cabin, furnished luxuriously in the style of a modern dran-in" room, Vice Admiral Sir F. Field receive? a representative of the "'Age" •yesterday morning. At a first glance tie cause of the popularity that lias preceded him becomes apparent. Slimly built, hair greying about the temple, eyes that bespeak kindliness and good liumour, his personality is such that it is no wonder he holds the respect and admiration of all ratings. The charm which has already won him countless admirers in the western States of Australia Will in the next few days capture the admiration of Melbourne. Of him jt may be said he is an admirable admiral. Sir F. Field discussed with his interviewer questions which he considers important as far as the naval policy of the Empire is concerned. The most important matter he discussed was one phase of the future naval policy of the dominions. At the outset he emphasised the point that the Dominions must coiitrol their own navies.

"I want to say emphatically that 1 »m in favour of "the Dominions owning their own navies and manning them locally," he said. "This is definitely the attitude of the Admiralty Board."

But the point that he dwelt upon roost was that of interchange of officers, • men and ships between Britain and the Dominions. Originally, 'he said, most naval officers were of the opinion that if an Imperial fleet was to be efficient it must work together under one command. What was the use of having a couple oi ships here and there all •working under a different regime, and not trained in the same school? But the Dominion peoples were chary of subscribing to an Imperial navy unless they could see what they were actually paying for. The Admiralty had realised that it was necessary that each Dominion should begin to build up a navy that was efficient for local defence, comprising sufficient cruisers to protect 'their own trade routes. The personnel of the Dominion navies, which of necessity were small, wanted some chance of promotion, but in these navies they would not get anything like a broad experience, as they never obtained experience outside of their own waters. Then, when war came along the Imperial navy would not be schooled a3 efficiently as it should be, unless the I)6minion navies allowed their ships to do service with the British navy. and the Dominions would never get the best men for the service unless there was'a chance of them rising to high Tank within a reasonable time. If there was a common list of promotion and an exchange of Dominion officers with officers of the Royal navy, the Dominion men would have just as much chance of rising to high command as the British officers. That seemed to be a difficult thing to do. But there -was no reason why the Dominions should not maintain their fleets at whatever size the people could afford. The opinion in England amongst naval officers was that if they were- transferred, to Dor minion navies, they were forgotten. He could see no difficulty in the institution of the common promotion list.

Referring generally to the cruise, Vice-Admiral Field said the people of Australia had given the squadron a wonderful, welcome. They had not previously experienced anything like it. He had been very much impressed by the settlement policy of Western Australia, The ratings were also impressed, and they would take their imrpessions right throughout Great Britain on their return.

He had been particularly struck by the great kindness of the people to new arrivals. It was a pity that the cruise had not commenced two months 'before it did. Very little time was now allowed at the different ports because of that. The strain was very great. They were being entertained every day -K-hile in port, and then after only twodays at sea they were berthed at another port. Very little time was given to carry out experiments at sea. He "had intended having gunnery practice at Jervis Bay, but he understood that the target had been allowed to drift. "I've been Teally looking forward to smashing up that target," he added trith a smile.

Why is it that there is such great apathy as far as naval defence is concerned? the Admiral was asked.

"Everybody is the same after a big war," he answered. "They want to get on with schemes for education, better housing and other things. They say, "Do not let us spend money on war.' That is only natural,. I think." Britain had entered into a pact with France, America and Jajan to reduce armaments, he continued. He was not sure that the nations were not just as bound to keep their navies up to the standard laid down in the pact as they were to keep it down. It had been a great blow to him when it was decided to scrap ships. The authorities were very anxious to keep the steel scrap, but could not break up the ships in the v; m e laid down in tihe pact. As a result a great number of ships had to be sold, and the scrap and much employment taken away from Great Britain.