EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 16691, 21 March 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

COMMENT S'? TEE “TIMES.” (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright). LONDON. March 19. The “Times” says that Australia’s fear of Japan is more reasonable than Britain’s fear of Germany, yet Britain in her egoism of fear concentrated her ships in the North Sea. Sir E. Grey and Mr McKenna were wholly absorbed in Britain’s possible danger. If Japan forced her policy on Australia and the United States on Canada the margin would be so fine that Britain would be unable to interfere. Admiral Henderson’s report showed that Australasia’s preparation for defence was rather leisurely; but the progress of events was likely to quicken it. TEE DETECTIVE DESTHOYESS. MELBOURNE, March 20. The Government is communicating with the Admiralty architects in reference to the defects in the destroyers’ steering gear. New steering engines will be obtained from England. EXPERTS PUZZLED. SYDNEY, March 20. Received March 21, 12.5 a.rn. Owing to defects in the destroyers’ steering gear their visit to Sydney has been postponed. Great preparations had been made for an official welcome on Wednesday, and there is much disappointment owing to the postponement. MELBOURNE, March 20. Experts are completely puzzled by the destroyers’ defects. Alterations have been made to the steering gear, but without effect. Engineers are carefully examining each part and trying to discover the cause. The effects are stated to be similar to difficulties that occurred with the same class of boats in England.