IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3103, 3 September 1913, Page 27

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

DEFENCE TESTED. LONDON, August 27. A submarine belonging to the Dundee flotilla, with a view to testing the efficiency of the shore defences on the Firth of Forth, where a naval dockyard is being built, passed the warships which werovanchored at the Forth bridge, eluded the batteries at Inchkeith, and crept into Rosyth. / The authorities at the new naval station were unaware of the visit until they were apprised of it after the return of the submarine to Dundee. NEW BASE AT CROMARTY. LONDON, August 27. The Admiralty has invited designs for a large floating self-contained factory for the new base at Cromarty, capable of executing all kinds of repairs to warships without dry-docking, and including a foundry and other shops, which will be operated electrically from a turbine station in an under-body below, while the superstructure will provide a permanent habitation for 130 officers and men. THE AUSTRALIAN WARSHIPS. CAPETOWN, August 26. The Australia and the Sydney have sailed for Simonstown.

The Cape Times dwells on the objectlesson afforded to South Africa by the visit of the Australian warships. The Dutch organ Onsland says : “ If Great Britain lost the command of the sea the link of Empire would be snapped, and each portion would have to shift for itself. Such an event would mean that South Africa would be at the mercy of the strongest naval Power. Who knows,” asks the editor,. “ whether this new master would be such a champion of full selfgovernment as Great Britain, and willing at the same time to give the use of her fleet to hold the waters free and safe?’’ The Onsland favours the abolition of trade preference, and the substitution of something which would allow of an adequate direct contribution towards the cost of or some share in Empire defence.