THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 1271, 12 February 1910, Page 3

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

MR. FISHER'S SPEECH. THE NAVAL QUESTION. [Pbess Association— Copxbiohx.J Melbourne, Feb. 11. Mr. Joseph Cook, Federal Minister of defence, commenting on Mr. Jmner's Maryborough Federal campaign speech, says that it was moonshine for Mr. Fisher to try to create the impression that the Australian naval scheme was originated by his party. The two schemes were quite distinct, and the Government's project would have a different purpose and a different objective. The schemq were alike only in that Mr. Fisher's vessels were an almost infinitestimal time in l the Government's scheme. What the * isner Government did in the way of inaugurating" a new navy was to order three small boats, and instead of getting the best advice of naval authorities in Britain, it put the matter m the hands of a private naval architect, who was being paid two per ceoit commission to supervise- tho building.