YACHTS FOR DEFENCE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 101, 30 April 1908, Page 5

YACHTS FOR DEFENCE.

A NEW ZEALAND PROPOSAL

"MORE HUMOROUS THAN USE-

FUL."

IPBESS ASSOCIATION.] (Received April 30, 10 25 a.m.) ' _ , SYDNEY, April 30. The Sydney Morning Herald says that INew Zealand's proposal to encourage the building of sea-going yachts in view of their use for coastal defence purposes is generally regarded m local naval circles as having more humour than utility. Commander Brownlow, the State Naval Commander, says:—"Looking at the proposal as it appears in the paper, and not geing in possession of further data, it certainly seems to me to be impracticable for the defence concerned. Auxiliary vessels with a speed of five miles are of no use whatever for purposes of coastal defence, and even boats built for racing would be of no use. The only vessels that could be used for purposes of defence in this respect would be up-to-date destroyers, or vessels of the scout class. The ' New Zealand suggestion is made evidently with a view to cooperation in time of war between the Commonwealth and the Dominion, but a proper wireless telegraph system would be of more benefit than any rombirmtion of yacht olub's to provide