AUSTRALIA'S POLICY OUTLINED

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20054, 14 April 1914, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S POLICY OUTLINED

STATEMENT BY FEDERAL DE-

FENCE MINISTER,

SYDNEY, April 13. The Minister of Defence has issued a comprehensive statement of the Federal naval policy, in view of Mr Churchill's recent speech. He quotes Mr Churchill as saying that a battle cruiser is not a necessary part of the fleet unit provided by the Dominions, and that the presence of such vessels in the. Pacific fs not necessary to British interests. He compares the advice given by the Imperial Government at the 1909 Conference, when it was stated that the smallest; fleet which should be aimed at should consist of an armoured cruiser of .th«s'Dreadnought type, three unarmoured cruisers of the Bristol type, six destroyers, and three submarines. ,- The Admiralty was then of opinion that three battle cruisers were necessary in the Pacific, and that view was endorsed by Admiral Henderson in 1911. Australians joined heartily in hoping that the good understanding with Japan would continue indefinitely. At the same time, it was difficult to accept the existence or that alliance as a reason for a departure from the naval programme adopted. The pages of history were strewn with the wreckage of fruitless alliances. In any case, the present one ■might not be renewed.

The Minister concluded by - stating that Australia is irrevocably pledged to, and will pursue with determination, th© policy agreed upon with the Imperial Parliament five years ago, and will not be deflected by the. remarks of the First Lord of the Admiralty regarding the task undertaken, which is vital to th© cause of Imperial defence, and an essential safeguard for her own protection.