DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2978, 12 April 1911, Page 30

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA.

SYDNEY, April 4. The destroyer Warrego was launched to-day amidst a scene of tremendous mthusiasm. At a luncheon subsequently the Gover-jor-general said that Australian money would be well,spent in the purchase and aian-.gement of her own ships. Mr Holman proposed a new toast—that, of "The Australian Navy"—in a »peech eulogistic of the builders. Mr Fisher, in responding, said it was essentially a fleet for the defence of Ausiralia and its honour and liberty. They were determined that every step shouH be taken to make the defence perfect. Mr Pearce said it was proposed to ask the - British Government to allow Australia the privilege of having the boats manned by Australians. The Government hoped U> open the navy establishment at Sydney for the. education ox ofiioors, and to establish training schools for the personnel. 9a repudiated the idea that Australians

should lean upon the British for support. He -4. id not think Australians were staggered by Admiral Henderson's report. Mrs Pearce, wife of the Minister of Defence, when christening the Warrego, .said: " In time of danger may thy movements be swift." i A deputation presented the Minister of Defence with the resolutions that were recently passed at a public meeting in favour of a more vigorous defence policy. j Senator Pearce replied that the Government was doing all it intended to do and all that was possible to push on an adequate scheme of defence. The Govern- ' ment had bitten off just as much as it could chew, and had gone as far or further, perhaps, than public opinion. April 5. Speaking at the launch of the Warrego, TtTi Dudley said he had never doubted the wisdom of the creation of an Australian navy. He commended the wise and broad-minded spirit with which it ■ was being carried out. It was the best policy for both the Empire and Australia.

ADELAIDE, April 8. In the course of an interview Mr Fisher, referring to the defence of the Pacific, said we had to look here for a menace if there was any. He considered that the Goveirnment was taking the right steps to guard against an invasion or any other trouble which might arise nearer at hand than in the Old World.