THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 9 May 1913, Page 6

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

A COMPLETE DOCKYARD. [By Electric Teleg ram—Copy right] [United Press Association.] (Received 11.0 a.m.) Adelaide, May 9. The Commonwealth flag was unfurled on the site cf the proposed naval base in Cockburn Sound, which has been named the Henderson Fleet Base. Mr Pearce (Defence Minister), at the ceremony, stated that the base would comprise a complete dockyard. The Government is considroing the question of complete slips for building battleship cruisers, besides ship-repair-ing sections. ' The floating clock would accommodate the largest warships afloat.

NOT A TIN FLEET

A VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND

Auckland, May 9

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Minister of Customs, returned from Australia by the Niagara. Interviewed, lie said that the reciprocal agreement with Australia had been completed and signed, and after approval by Cabinet, it would bo submitted to the Parliaments of both countries simultaneously. He repudiated the assertion that the Australian Labour Party was unsound on defence. They knew the price that must be paid for *a White Australia. To join Australia’s navy we would not join a' tin fleet, since the flagship was a sister to our battleship, and the Melbourne was a model of up-to-date shipbuilding. He had inspected all the Australian ships, docks, and depots, and on a clay' not far distant, Australia would.not merely repair her warships, but build them. Ho hoped before many months wore past that the whole strength of the Australian fleet would visit New Zealand and demonstrate the real strength of Australia’s determination in the matter of naval defence.