COMMAND OF THE SEAS

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1919, Page 8

COMMAND OF THE SEAS

CREATION OF IMPERIAL NAVY

GREAT PACIFIC FLEET

[Press Association.]

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received Aug. 18, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Au<;, 37.

A high naval authority, interviewed, said that although Lord".J^ilicoe was visiting all the Dominions in an advisory capacity, his recommendations of the< amount of sea power it was necessary for Britain to maintain in the future eastward of Suez would be of paramount importance, because the Admiralty regarded this region as the next danger zone, although no trouble was antieip ited perhaps for a few years. Therefore rauch stronger naval forces ivculd likely be stationed in Australian and New Ze iland waters.

Lord Jellieoe was known to favor local Dominion naval units. His advice would be particularly helpful to the New Zealand Government, which must consider the maximum burden of expense it was able to bear. The Admiralty's policy would probably be ti supplement the Dominion fo'ces ■with ships necessary to insure the Erapiro's security in accordance Y/ith Lord Jellicoe's report. Lord Jellicoe probably would suggest the formation of an Indisin naval unit, with a proportion of native officers and men, thus establishing* a great Pacific Fleet consisting of Indian, South African, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian units, capable of operating under a single - command.

Lord J.ellicoß also would recommend the creation, of a permanent Imperial Naval Board, on which there would be a representative uf oach Dominion, .sitting in London, find dealing with all naval operations, .the Board periodically to visit the Dominions and sit witjh each local Naval Board at Melbourne and Wellington to consider details of Australian and New Zealand defence.

Lord Jellicoe's visit probably would Yosult in the provision of muck greater naval forces in Canadian waters, to protect the long coast lines.

It wan anticipated that Lord Jellicoa would favor a greater interchange of officers between the Home and Dominion Floats.