THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13055, 15 March 1911, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

ADMIRAL HENDERSON'S REPORT

TWO DIVISIONS PROPOSED

Sydney, March 14

Admiral Henderson's report says that once the command of thel sea was lost by the British Empire no local system of defence, naval or military, could secure Australia's autonomy, and she would be a prey to the strongest maritime Power. Australia should expend on her fleet a sum bearing the same proportion to the Imperial naval expenditure as Australia's population and oversea commerce would bear to those of Britain. On this basis the annual naval provision would be £4,----000.000, increasing proportionately with the increase of population. Tho complete fleet would be divided into eastern and western divisions, each under an admiral or commodore. The divisions again would be sub-di-vided into squadrons or flotillas. Sydnuiy would be the primary base for the eastern division and Fremantle for the wester.n division, with a destroyer and submarine, and a sub-base at other ports. The two divisions would not always keep their own base. Ships from time to timtf would be exchanged to give officers and men a. chance of acquainting themselves with all Australian waters and also for yearly manoeuvres.