AUSTRALIAN NAVY

Evening Star, Issue 17957, 2 May 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NAVY

ADMIRAL DUMABFi'QT DEPARTURE. Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, May 1. What) is regarded as one of tho finest compliments tho Navy c;r-i pay to a departing commander was accorded to Rearadmiral Dumaresq. Alter handing over the command to Commodore Addison on board the warship Brisbane, he was rowed ashore in a. boat manned by eight commanders of warships in port. [Commodore Addison succeeds Rearadmiral Dumaresq, G. 8., C.V.0., who has been Rear-admiral commanding the Royal Australian Navy since 1919, and who retires; this month. In the (luce years that he commanded the Australian Fleet Rearadmiral Dumaresq greatly improved its efficiency, and alt hough he is a strict disciplinarian,, ho lias become exceedingly popular in the service. Rear-admiral Dumaresq entered the Royal Navy in 1385, when aged twelve years, and served for two years on the training ship Britannia. He was posted ns lieutenant in 1894, commander 1904, captain 1910, commodore 1919, and rear-admiral in 1921. His war service was excellent. At the Battle of Jutland Rear-admiral Dumaresq commanded HALS. Shannon, and at Heligoland lie commanded; 11.M.5. Repulse. His association with the Australian Fleet dales from 1917, when he assumed command of H.M.A.S. Sydney. Commodore Addison also served with distinction in the war. For a period be was captain in charge of tho submarine flotilla at Harwich. and in April, 1920, was appointed director of torpedoes and mining.] MR HUGHES IN REPLY. SYDNEY, May 2. (Received May 2, at 11.5 a.m.) Mr Hughes, whilst agreeing with much of Admiral Dnmaresq’s observations, save he considers that his remark's were in bad taste, Anv such criticism should come from tho Naval Board, which, advises the Government. The remarks arc n, reflection on Admiral DinnaveaqV .superior officer, Admiral Everett, who was ■directly recommended by Admiral Realty. Respecting tlie statement that Australia had not paid tho same amount per head of population on the Navy as England, Mr Hughes said tho statement was’ gratuitous, uncalledfor. and improper. Australia’s naval expenditure had been greater than that of all tho other dominions pul together.