THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 443, 27 February 1909, Page 5

THE NAVY.

r PROPOSED AUSTRALIAN FLEET. - STATEMENT BY MRi M'KENNA. WATTING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. , (P~ TBLEGEAFn—rUESS ASSOOIiTION-rCpPIMQIiIJ :".'./. (Reo. February 26, 10.25 p.mij ../-. \ London, February-26,." • Speaking in the Houseof Commons, Mr. R. M'Kenna (First Lord of the/Admiralty), informed Mr. Redmond that the foundations of the agreement. with the Commonwealth concerning the proposed Australian .fleet wore laid'at-the time the late Commonwealth Government was in office, but no Official communication had been received since, and the Imperial Government was waiting to hear the; views of - the present. Governmentof the Commonwealth on the -subject.-. '///SUGGESTION BY LORD BRASSEY. / ;;:; LOAN OR GIFT OF CRUISERS.7;y./'/ ■; v .NEW / ZEALAND'S, PATRIOTISM." ,; .:(Rec. -February ;27, 0.55. a.m.) ,:''■>' -;' 'London, February' 26. ;, |,;- ; .'l^rd;_Bra-^y,Vsp(alangVm' , 'the. House of |,Lords,.-called attentionto the suggestions of the; Colonial Conference of, 1907' in relation! to /naval defence, and the. correspondence, that had smce' taken' place.' ! . He suggested the -loan; or gift -to Australasia of protected second-class cruisers.. . .: .v-"' I '--'A'■"-..'.- ,' i Lord EUehborough said he was glad Australia had begun ,on .right lines by : providing destroyers in readiness on the spot'in icase.of, emergency;:. Could Major'Dumaurier visit Australia" and write; a play ■ similar :to : / '.'The -Englishman's Home" adapted to colonial surroundings, the chances of Mr. Haldane inducing Australia to raise five divisions ': would- be/considerably increased. . . '■■/■: /,/' . Lord Granard,;iri a sympathetic reply, emphasised the fact that New' Zealand was most- / patriotic in her'actioh'in increasing her;contribution, :,and,-relying on the Motherland to ;d6:her best 'to protect her. -Regarding Lord .Brassey/'s": suggestion;, the - Admiralty:'. found :'no .vessel suitable.; Such as were seen;in the; Solent; would; require much .expenditure /on repairs.'. - The Admiralty viewed with satis-' :faotion : any efforts, colonials mijrbt- make/to-. ; wards .'establishing a fleet .for'.their own/pro-; tection. .The Government, would 'most ! /fully. ; consider v any: scheme submitted,' • and iwouldbe pleased to give any advice;'service-; /able to the colonies. ' ,:,/'-. ;'. : /." .:':;-'''