NAVAL DEFENCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 64, 14 September 1908, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE.

Press Assn — By telegraph— Copyright, MELBOURNE, Saturday.

Sir Thomas Bent, who has been indisposed, states that 'when he is able to see Mr Deakin, he intends to ask him why England, Canada, New Zealand and Australia should not contribute to have a navy, including battleships in- the Pacific, and why the United states should not contribute also, making it a joint concern. America has interests in the Pacific, which will be increased when the Panama canal is completed, and- the presence of an Anglo-Saxon navy in the Pacific would steady a lot of other nations. " x The" countries might borrow money to construct such a navy. Australia's share would be about £10,000,000.

When Mr Deakin was seen in connection with Mr Bents- scheme he asked to be excused from saying anything about it.