OUR DEFENCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 19

OUR DEFENCES.

VULNERABILITY OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. A SUGGESTION BY THE ADMIRAL", SYDNEY, May 24. Speaking at the Lord Mayor's luncheon Admiral Fanshawe, dealing -with th"& navy, said he was very much impressed by the extreme vulnerability of Australia and New Zealand. The centres of population were invitingly near the sea. If the British fleets in the Eastern seas were d» stroyed or disabled he greatly feared tb< capture of the cities would be an easy matter, and when captured the subjugation of the countries would follow. These matters called for practical consideration. There was no man who did not wish to have for liis country liberty to manage he* affairs in her own way. He would sug* gest, and it was certainly his own opinion, that that liberty icould only be got in one way : by getting the navy up to such strength as •would make it an awful risk for an enemy to undertake to send an army and helpless transports across the sea to invade either Australia or New Zealand. Was it fair or just that the maintenance of the navy, whereon our liberties and safety depend, should almost entirely be borne by the taxpayers of the Old Country? The contributions of Australia and New -Zealand at present were extremely small. He would venture to make a suggestion, emanating entirely from himself — namely, that Australia and New Zealand should offer to meet the cost of maintenance of the squadron he commanded. This would mean about £440,000 per annum, not, of -course, including thecapital cost of the ships or interest thereon. He added that a large part of the .money comes baf-k, as the fleet passed a great deal of its time in Australian ports. He paid a tribute to Australians and New Zealanders as soldiers an! sailors. He concluded by stating that during the time he had been on the Australian station all whom he met agreed with the sentiments he had expressed. Mr Carruthers (the Premier) and others made patriotic speeches.