THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15503, 13 November 1914, Page 11

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

To the Editor of tlio "Timavn Herald." Sir,—As o neof tthe oldest settlers in South Canterbury. I cannot help regretting the opposition (so loudly applauded in some political meetings lately held) to determined efforts being made to protect not only our country, hut our whole female population from' the horrors daily taking place in Europe. What would our position have been if the wise forethought of Australia had not provided two powerful vessels.? The Premier of the Australian Commonwealth stated that the indemnity on Melbourne alone would have been 150 million pounds, and that every town in New Zealand would have been raided. Mr Talbot statps we could ; not afford 17s fid per head to maintain a- cruiser—a drop in the ocean to. what we shonld hive had to pay ■without Australia'? help. Mr Anstey stated in Waimnte that if our cruiser met a Oerman squadrm she would he siink. How about fh<* Svdnev sinking the E T *ulen. which has done two million nonrtds of dama.ge to out* shinning, nnd -would hn>ve< done more if not held in check the Australian Navy? —I am, etc.. OT,r> SETTLER.