NAVY MATTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12865, 25 May 1905, Page 2

NAVY MATTERS.

VULNERABILITY OF AUSTRALIA, Onited Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. Received May, 25i 12.10 a.m. . j ■ Sidney, May 24. Speaking at the Lord" May,or'& luncheon, Admiral Fanshawe, dealing with the Navy, said he was very much impressed with the extreme vulnerability of Australia and New Zealand. / Their, centres of population were invitingly; near the sea, and if the British fleets in the Eastern Seas were destroyed or disabled, he greatly fearod tho capture of their cities would be an easy matter, and when captured subjugation of the countries would iollow. These matters called for practical consideration. There was no man who did not wish to have for his country liberty to manage her affairs in her own "way. He would suggest, anld it was certainly his own opinion, that that liberty could only, be got one way*— 'by getting the navy up to such strength as would ina'ke it an awful risk for an enemy to undertake to send an army; and helpless transports across the sea to invade either Australia or New Zealand. Was it fair or just that the maintenance of the Navy whereon our liberty, and safety dcpenld should almost entirely ide borne by the taxpayers of the Old Country. t The contributions of Australia and New Zealand were at present extremely small, and he would venture to make a suggestion, emanating entirety' from himself, that Australia and New Zealand , should offer to meet the cost 'of maintenance ol the squadron ho commanded. This would mean about £440,000 per annum, not, of course, including the capital cost of the ships or interest thereon. He added that a large part of the money would come back, as the fleet passed a great deal of timo in Australian ports. He paid a tribute to Australian and New Zealand 'soldiers and sailors, and concluded by stating that during the timo he had been on the Australian station all whom he met agreed with! the sentiments he had expressed. Mr Carruthers, Premier, and others made patriotic speeches.