AUSTRALIAN NAVAL DEFENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12757, 30 April 1909, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NAVAL DEFENCE.

The Federal Government's

Policy.

Press Association . — Teleg ra p h . — Copyrigh t .

Received April 30, 10.15 a.m. PERTH, April 30. The Minister of Home Affairs, defending Mr Fisher's naval defence proposals, advocated abandoning the naval subsidy, and the initiating of Australia's own defence on the ocean, because the spirit of self-re liance cannot co-exist with the spirit of dependence, because Australia has, at present, no control over the ships subsidised, and because, in the event of war, the Australian squadron would leave our seas unpTotected. The subsidy would bleed Australia of millions, and then leave her unprotected in the hour of danger. /•