A SELF-RELIANT NAVAL POLICY

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 82, 5 October 1915, Page 6

A SELF-RELIANT NAVAL POLICY

Thursday last was a greater day for Australasia than their preoccupation with the exciting developments of the great European struggle has allowed the people of this country to realise. New Zealand watched with doubt, and even apprehension, the beginnings of Australia's self-reliant naval policy. How could Australia possibly succeed with -so audacious an undertaking? Coujd she possibly build anything better than a "tin-pot" navy' And if she did, would not the result bo to shatter the unity of Imperial naval power, and even to endanger the Imperial connection ? Now that the Australian Navy is a reality, and has rendered invaluable service to the Empire generally and to New Zealand -in particular, these doubts and fears have been almost entirely displaced by gratitude and admiration. These feelings were very lively when the presence of German cruisers in the Pacific, the safe conduct of onr troops to Samoa, and the sinking of the Emden were fresh in our minds, and they should be revived now by the contemplation of the latest step in Australia's progress towards her goal. On, Thursday last the light cruiser Brisbane was launched at Sydney. The event is notable in at least three ways. The completion of a sister-ship to the famous Sydney makes, in the first place, an addition of great intrinsic value to the Empire's naval power in the Pacific. But it is also memorable because the Brisbane is both the largest vessel ever launched in the Southern Hemisphere, and the first cruiser to be built in any of the oversea Dominions. She has token a long time, for her keel was laid down as long ago as the Ist February, 1913; and the slow pace and high wages are likely to make the vessel a "record" in costliness also. But Australia has counted the cost;, and is prepared to pay it, and no fear of the financial burden was allovcd to mar tne enthusiasm of Thursday's ceremony. Hope and confidence "were indeed the prevailing not-e of all the speeches delivered on this great occasion No justification of the once much-canvassed experiment was needed, for, as the Commonwealth Prime Minister pointed out, the policy had already justified itself. Not only is Australia's fleet in being, but it has helped to clear both the Pacific and the Indian Oceans of hostile cruisers, and one at least of its vessels has been in action with brilliant results. The advocates of local self-reb'ance have reason to be proud of the great achievement, and the unbending Imperialist must not fail to note that it has all been under the direct control of the Admiralty. But what we have already Been is but an earnest of the much greater things that are yet to be. "We have made a good beginning with our navy," said that quiet Mr. Andrew Fisher, " but we have to go much further." "We must continue launching ships, whether we like it or not," said his more ardent colleague, ilr. W. M. Hughes, and he declared himself confident that those present would live to ccc a squadron made up of Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand, shipsWhen will New Zealand proceed to justify this hope 7 At present to all haveour hands and minds full with moro urgent bußinscß. But in the great era

follow the restoration of peace we hope to see this country's gratitude to Australia for all that she has done in the way of protecting our commerce and our coasts translated into a resolute determination to follow her example.