AUSTRALIA’S NAVY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14132, 11 February 1910, Page 3

AUSTRALIA’S NAVY.

LAUNCHING THE PARRAMATTA. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Fob. 10. Mrs. Asquith performed tho ceremony of naming the first Australian destroyer. Mr. A. Grade, chairman of the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company, presented her with a silver casket containing a silver hatchet wherewith to cut the ribbon. Mrs. Asquith said : “The firsthern Cf U',o Commonwealth navy, I name you ‘Parramatta.’ God bless you and those who sail in you. May you uphold the glorious traditions of the British Navy in tho dominions overseas.” The christening was performed with Australian champagne. A large gathering of Australians attended the luncheon in honour of the event. Telegrams regretting their absence .were received from the Earl of Crowe (Secretary of State for the Colonies) and Lord Fisher (ex-Admiral of tho Fleet). Proposing tho toast of “The Commonwealth,” tho Lord Provosf of Glasgow said tho building of the Australian Navy proved that in times of stress tho Mother Country would not appeal in vain to her children across the sea. Capt. Collins (Commonwealth AgentGeneral),. replying, said it was to the credit of the Liberal Government, that they, through Mr. Haldane’s conception of an Imperial General Staff and at tho Naval Conference, helped to pass from an era of talk to an era of action, which would develop and consolidate the defence of the Empire. He added that Australia was heartily in earnest and sympathy in connection with this forward movement of her national spirit and independence and lends her shoulder to her own responsibilities. Tho Commonwealth was efficiently reorganising its forces, and forming valuable units of strength and assistance for tho whole Empire. “SO MUCH MOONSHINE.” (Received Feb. 11, 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 11. Mr. Joseph Cook, Federal Minister for Defence, commenting on Mr. Andrew Fisher’s speech, says it was so much moonshine for Mr. Fisher to try and create an impression that tho naval scheme was his party’s. The two schemes wore quite distinct, and had a different purpose and a different objective. They wore only alike in that his vessels were almost an infinitesimal item in his scheme. What the Fisher Government did in tho way of inaugurating a now navy was to order three small boats, ami instead of getting tho best advice of naval authorities in Britain, put the matter in the hands of a private naval architect, who was being paid two per cent, commission to supervise them.