EMPIRE DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6996, 9 December 1909, Page 8

EMPIRE DEFENCE

NAVAL AND MILITARY 'ASPECTS OFFICIAL DESPATCHES AND REPORTS. COST OP AN INDEPENDENT FLEET. An official paper, containing communi-cations-on the subject of defence which have passed, between the Home authorities and the self-governing dependencies was presented to Parliament yesterday. The report shows that the independent fleet policy was very exhaustively dealt with in a memorandum by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr R. McKenna. It was pointed out that the fleet unit to be effective, arid to take its proper place in the organisation of an Imperial navy, distributed strategically over' the whole Urea of British interests, should consist of,. at least,- the following vessels: ■ v 1 Armoured cruiser (new "Indomitable" class, which is' of the "Dreadnought" type), 3 Unarmoured cruisers ("Bristol" claas), . 6 Destroyers, ■ 3 Submarines, with the necessary . auxiliaries,, 6uch as depot and store ships/ etc., which are not specified. "Such a fleet unit," states the memoranda, "would be capable of action not only in the defence of coasts, but also of the trade routes, and would bo sufficiently powerful to deal with small hostile squadrons, should such ever attempt to act in its waters.

"Simply to man such a squadron, omitting auxiliary requirements" and .any margin for reliefs, sickness, etc., the minimum numbers required would bo about 2300 officers and men, according;to the Admiralty scheme of complements. "The estimated first cost of building *jnd arming such a complete fleet unit would be approximately .£3,700,000, and the cost of maintenance, including upkeep of vessels, pay and interest, and sinking fund, at British rates, approximately .£600,000 per; annum. "The estimated cost of the officers and men required to man the ships does not comprise the -whole cost. There would be other charges to be provided for, such as the pay of, persons employed inj subsidiary services, those undergoing training, sick, in reserve, etc" , DOMINION'S WAR RESPONSIBILITY It is pointed out thut the necessity for early consideration of this great question of Imperial military policy is increased by the fact that, in proportion as danger threatens th© heart of the Empire, and compels the Mother Country to concentrate her naval ■ and ■ military forces, the immediate responsibility for the safety of the outlying portions of the Empire must tend to be delegated to her daughter nations, whose possession of alternative lines of communication might enable them to send prompt and efficient aid to some threatened point, or to reinforce or relieve the regular forces of the Mother Country. "For instance," adds the Chief of Staff, "Australia and New Zealand are 6o situated that they might be able to send troops to reinforce India, or the' gUrriBons of defended ports in Asiatic waters, at a time when it would 1 be unsafe to despatch them from the United Kingdom by -way of the Mediterranean. Similarly, a United South Africa might be able to raise a force not merely sufficient for home defence, but cUpable of giving effective assistance in the solution of any' military problems -which might arise upon the African continent. Canada is in the best position, perhaps, to render aid promptly should trouble arise nearer home, or to reinforce Australia." A HOMOGENEOUS ARMY. An important feature of the proposals is the creation of an Imperial General Staff by the loan of qualified Home officers for educational establishments in the Dominion, and the interchange of general staff officers, so that the British tjrmy will be directed in all parts of the Empire by men who have been trained to think Ulike on all matters of principle. It i 6 intimated ■ that New Zealand accepted the principles contained in Ihe paper, but submitted no proposals. A considerable section of the Parlia.mentary paper is devoted to discus.

sion of proposals submitted by the Chief of the General Staff, for organising the military forces of the Empire, 60 as to ensure effective co-opertitiojn in case of war. "If the Dominions wish to have the power of affording prompt and effective kelp in the defence of the Empire, their military forces should be organised rnd trained in peace on a stundard '■".stem, so that, when the necessity arises, e< niplete units and formations.may be i.vnilable for combined action overseas, as part of a homogeneous Imperial army," states the memorandum.