Defence of the Colonies

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume V, Issue 1335, 25 May 1905, Page 2

Defence of the Colonies

A Warning Speech

Weakness Pointed Out by AJmiral Fanshawa

M tits Mercy of Foreigners

Press Association.—Copyright. Stone?, this day. .Speaking at the Lord Mayor's luncheon, Admiral Faushawe, dialing with tho navy, said that ho was vory much impressed with tho oxtremo vulnerability of the Australian and Now Zealand centres, The populations wore invitingly near tho son and if tho British Hoots in eastern seas were dostroyed or disabled ho greatly, feared that tlio capture of tho cities would bo an easy matter, and whou captured tho subjugation of tho countries would follow, Those matters called for fraction! consideration. Thero was no man who did not wish to have for his country tho liborty to manage hor affairs in hor own way, and ho would suggest—and it was certaiuly his own opinion—that tint liberty could only ho got in ouo way, by gotling tho navy up to such a strongth as would make it an awful risk for an onouiy to sond an army and holpless transports across tho sea to invado oithor Australia or Now Zealand Was it fair or just that tho maintenance of the navy whereon our liberty and safety dependod should almost outirely be borne by tho toxpayors of the Old Country ? Thu contribmions from Australia and Now Zealand were at presont extremely small, and he would venture to mako a suggestion enamating ontirely from himself: Australia and New Zealand ahould offer to meot tho cost of maintenance of tho squadron ho commanded, It would mean about £440,000 per annum. This did not of course, include tho capital cost of ships or the interest thereon, Ho added that a lar fi o part of tho money would come baok as a great deal of tho timo of tho fleet was passed in Amtnlian ports. Ho paid* tribute to tho Australian and Now Zealand soldiors and sailors, and concluded by saying that during the timo ho had been on the Australian station all whom he had met agreed with the sentiments ho had expressed, Mr. Carruthti'i and oth«w make patriotic speechea,