NAVAL DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 15481, 1 May 1914, Page 8

NAVAL DEFENCE

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, April 30. Admiral Sir G. King-Hall, in an article in the 'Nineteenth Century,' predicts that the Australian Navy will be a consolidating rather than a disintegrating force in the Commonwealth's relations with th<* Empire, provided that the Mother Land's statesmen regard the movement with a far-reaching vision, looking to future potentialities of the Empire and Dominions. The time is approaching, if it has not now come, when the Dominions will demand a fuller voice in the councils of the Empire, especially in the matter of 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-com-mittee always in session, keeping the different Governments in constant and mutual touch. A serious drawback to the defence of the Commonwealth is the varied railway gauges in the different States. He hopes that Vice-Admiral Henderson's programme will be rigidly adhered to, and not become the subject of contention between political parties, for Australia's future influence depends largely upon the success of the Esher naval policy. NOT ADVISABLE TO PUBLISH. LONDON, April 30. (Received May 1, at 9 a.m.) In the House of Commons Mr Churchill informed Sir R. Hunt that the Admiralty's statement cabled on the 21st concerning the 1909 Agreement contained matter which it was not in the public interest to publish. A DANIEL COME TO JUDGMENT. (London ' Times' and Sydney ' Sun ' Services.)

LONDON, April 30. Speaking at the Baptists' 'Colonial Society, the Rev. F. C. Spurr, of Melbourne, described the Australian defence policy as useless. If China or Japan chose to make a descent, what could a few amateur soldiers do against such overwhelming odds?