TWO DIVISIONS OF SHIPS

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 62, 14 March 1911, Page 5

TWO DIVISIONS OF SHIPS

THE BASIS OF EXPENDITURE

(Received March 14, 8 a.m.) , SYDNEY, March 14

Admiral Henderson's" report says that once the command of the sea was lost by the Empire, no local system of defence, either naval or military, could secure Australia's autonomy, and she would be a prey to the strongest maritime Power. Australia should depend on a fleet sum bearing the same proportion to Imperial''Naval expenditure as Australia's population and oversea commerce bears to those of- Great Britain. On this basis the annual Naval provision would be ,£4,000,000, increasing proportionately with the increase of population. The complete fleet would be divided into eastern and western divisions, each Under an admiral or commodore. These divisions would be divided agaiu into squadrons .or flotillas. Sydney would be the base for the eastern, and Fremantle for the western divisions, with a destroyer and submarine sub-base at other ports. The two divisions would not always be kept at their own bases. The ships would from time to time exchange and give the officers and men a chance of acquainting themselves with the Australian waters. There would also be yearly manoeuvres.