THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16358, 30 September 1913, Page 6

THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET.

No question of politics and no party feeling will deter any New Zeaiander from expressing warm approval of the invitation the Prime Minister has sent to the Axistralian warships to visit the dominion. We have all watched developments on tho other side of the Tasman Sea with intense interest. Whatever views may be held concerning the policy that the colonies should pursue in naval matters there is no disposition on tho part of New Zealanders to withhold admiration of the magnificent courage of the Australians in undertaking the whole burden of the defence of tho coasts of their continent. They havo planned an effective defence, the creation of a real navy, though a modest one as navies go in theso leviathan days, and when the ultimate programme is completed tho fleet will be more thnn a match for any cruiser squadron that a foreign Power is likely to send to this corner of the world. It is a heavy burden that the Australians have taken ftp, and they approach it with the utmost confidence and cheerfulness. They regard their young navy as a mark of nationhood, and small though their population may be, no critic can deny the dignity of nationhood to a people that shows so substantial au'appreciation of its national responsibilities. All classes and all parties in tho Commonwealth havo joined gladly in this enterprise of patriotism. Tho immediate programme provides for an armoured cruiser, threo unarmoured cruisers, six destroyer and threo submarines, with docks and depot ships—a complete fleet unit. The initial cost of construction is £3,750,000 and the estimated annual cost about £750,000. The vessels that have been invited to visit New Zealand are tho Australia, sister to our own battle-cruiser, the light cruisers Melbourne and Sydney, and three destroyers, Parramatta, Yarra and Wjir-

rego. Tho third light cruiser is being built at Homo and three destroyers are under construction at Sydney. The complete scheme adopted by the Commonwealth Government, of course, will involve a far heavier expenditure. It is, substantially, that drafted by Sir Reginald Henderson, and it includes no fewer than 52 vessels—B armoured cruisers, 10 protected cruisers, 18 destroyers, 12 submarines, 3 depot ships and a fleet repair ship. The construction is to extend over twenty-two years, and the cost, including harbour defonces and dockyards, will exceed forty millions sterling. The personnel will be 15,000 and the annual naval vote will reach £5,000,000. Teu years hence it is hoped to have forty-two vessels in commission and to man every one of them completely with Australians. This is an inspiring scheme for a young nation to adopt, and New Zealanders will welcome an opportunity of showing that they appreciate its magnitude. It may be that when the long promised policy of the New Zealand Government is revealed there will be a proposal that the dominion should co-operate with Australia'in naval defence, but whether the interest of New Zealanders is to bo personal or not they will not fail to give the Australian ships the welcome that is their due. The fleet will have to show the flag in Australian waters first, of course,, but everyone will hope that in the not distant future tho ships will be able to visit the principal ports of the dominion.