AUSTRALIAN NAVAL POLICY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14956, 1 May 1914, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NAVAL POLICY.

ADMiRAL KING-HALL'S VIEWS

(Received April 30th, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 30. Rear-Admiral King-Hail, lato Commando: of the Imperial Naval Squadron in Australasian waters, in an article 'n the "Nineteenth Century," predicts that the Australian Navy will be a consolidating rather than a disintegrating force in the Commonwealth's relations with the Empire, providod tho Alothorland's statesmen regard tho movement with far-reaching vision. Looking upon tho future potentialities ,if tho Empire and tho Dominions, the timo is approaching, if it ha 3 not come, when the Dominions will demand a fuller voico in the councils of tho Empire, especially in regard to naval defence. Imperial, and particularly Naval Defence Conferences, should be held more frequently than hitherto, now that the means of transit are easier and quicker. There ought to be a permanent sub-committeo always in session, keeping tho different Governments in constant mutual touch with one another.

Serious drawbacks to the defence of tho Commonwealth, Admiral KingHall says, aro tho different railway gauges. Admiral King-Hall hopes that Admiral Henderson's programme will bo rigidly adhered to, and not becomo the subject of contention between political parties, for Australia's future influence depends largely upon the success of the Fisher Government's naval policy.