AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 19

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

SIR J. FORREST'S MINUTE.

MELBOURNE, November 7. Sir J. Forrest's minute, published in the Imperial Conference Blue Book, is published here. In it Sir John says that he thinks we must accept Admiral, Beaumont's opinion that it is beyond the power of the Commonwealth at the outset to create a force adequate,, 'for the naval defence of Australia.: To provide' even the small squadron proposed by Admiral Beaumont would cost £3,600^000; 'as follows :'— Two first class cruisers,' £1,000,000; six second class cruisers, £2,500,000 ; stores, depots, and naval yards, £100,000. The*'maintenance of this squadron, if. fully manned, would enable it tc successfully engage a first class cruiser of the enemy, together with two second class cruisers. Training ships and the training of 2000 men would probably cost £1,000,000 a year, inclusive of 5 per cent, on the capital cost. Under existing conditions, therefore, he does not recommend the establishment of an Australian navy. He fears it would not be very efficient, for, besides the enormous cost of replacing the fleet from time to time with more modern ships, there would be no change of officers and crews, who would go on year after year in the same ships, subject to the same influence,- and therefore with deteriorating effect. He advises that Australia should not get the idea that she has different interests from those of the rest of the Empire. There is only one sea to be supreme over, and we want one fleet to be mistress over that sea. He speaks of the desirability of having one fleet maintained by the whole nation, every part contributing to its support, on some plan to be mutually arranged— jprobably on that of the comparative (? wealth or population) of each country, and not necessarily on a uniform basis of construction. Arising* out of this would be the consequent necessity for the oversea dominions of the Empire- to be adequately represented at the Admiralty. Sir John feels that this could be arranged on a mutually satisfactory basis. In- time ofswar^jfehere could not be any division of responsibility, and until the more extended federation of the Empire is established that responsibility would have to res£ on the Imperial Government. He urges that greater facilities be granted for locally-trained boys entering the navy, also making it easier for officers to enter the navy, and suggests a conference in London of representatives from the colonies to discuss the strengthening of the naval defence of the Empire.