DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12766, 12 April 1910, Page 3

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY

SPEECH BY SIR GEORGE REID

: [Pb_ss Association— Coftrioht.]

London, April 10. Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, speaking at the launching of the Australian destroyer Yarra, said that regarding the berinnines of the Australian Navy a 1 Se gS parties in the Commonwealth had Sentical views. The world's desire for peace was never greater than now vet it was strange that the stronger were a statesman's prolesstus of peace the more extravagant and mad became the pace of naval preparations. The secret of this marvelbus discrepancy was that wo were on tho brink of great events which might throw the world into some dreadful catastrophe, or a terrific strain on its resources would hasten a general understanding. The fortunes of tho Motherland and oversea dominions were inseparably intertwined. me 3e of Australia had no intention te undertake military, or naval . adventure They would be more delighted if their warships were scrapped without firiiiß a shot in anger; but all parte of the Empire realised their rcspousiiblitics to the Empire in.existing circumstances.