THE DEFENSE OF AUSTRALIA.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12424, 14 December 1908, Page 2

THE DEFENSE OF AUSTRALIA.

. THENAV.-U., POHOES. COM « O \" WEA I.TH W A RBUI PJ3. IP&ess Issocia*ios— Copvaient.l . . , Melbourne, Dee. 11 In tbe Senate.. J;lie annUai report, of tbe Director of .Naval PotciS set out that until an understanding" was reached with the Imperial autbdfW ties aa to a clearly defined defence sphere, preparatoins for'Twar was chance work, and a complete replacement and reorganisation would have to be effected before tbe naval forces could take a due. share in the defence. As at present constituted the forces were rapidly [nearing vanishing point in war value.- Designs I for A ustral ian vessels had bsen subjmitted to Professor J. H. Biles, naval architect to tbe Indian and idther Governments, and the member of tbe Admiralty Committee' on de- .' signs. The Director recommends | that vessels should oe specially constructed to meet A ustralian weathur conditions. An extensive radius of action waa neceaiary to suit great distances. The proposed vessels were said to mark an advance in the radius of action and the number of tubps and gun armament.*. They were two or tbipe knots less in speed

than the liuest destroyers; but they ' excelled r-ne original river class. The' adoption of lower speed would allow of increased strength of hull and armament. The only danger to • which Australia was exposed, tbe report adds, was unarmed raiding cruisers up to four in number with . a landing strength of 1000 men.