A.—4a.

monwealth Government under the orders of Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. The method by which the vessels shall come under the orders of the Senior Naval Officer would be by furnishing each Commander of an Australian vessel with sealed orders and instructions (to) the effect that upon the declaration to him by the Senior Naval Officer representing British Government that a state of war or emergency exists, such sealed orders shall thereupon be opened and, in pursuance of their provisions, he shall thereupon immediately place himself under the orders of the Senior Naval Officer representing British Government; " (9) It is, however, to be understood that if the services of any of the Coast Defence vessels be desired in seas remote from Australia, the approval of the Commonwealth Government shall first be obtained to their removal; " (10) To insure the highest efficiency, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to be asked to agree to the Naval Com-mander-in-Chief on the Australian Station making, at request of the Commonwealth Government, periodical inspection of the vessels of the Naval Force of the Commonwealth, Naval School of Instruction, and Naval Establishment; " (11) Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to be asked also to approve of the service of the flotilla of such officers of the Royal Navy as may be mutually agreed to for service as Instructors and Specialist officers and to receive officers of the local flotilla for instruction at the torpedo, gunnery, and other schools in the United Kingdom; " (12) Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to be asked to give opportunities from time to time for officers and men specially selected by the Commonwealth being attached to battle fleets or torpedo flotillas in European waters for special instruction, the expense to be borne by Commonwealth; and " (13) For special facilities to be given, by arrangement with the Naval Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Station, for the vessels of the flotilla being exercised in conjunction the ships of the Royal Navy on the Australian Station, subject to the command of such combined exercises being held by the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Navy on the Australian Station." In concluding his memorandum, Prime Minister assures me that Commonwealth Government would highly appreciate the receipt, at earliest possible moment, of the views of His Majesty's Government on the foregoing proposals. —Dudley.

No. 10. AUSTRALIA. The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR-GENERAL. (Sent 1.45 p.m., 16th April, 1909.) Telegram. Your telegram 15th April.* Please assure Prime Minister that I will lose no time in submitting his important proposals for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and for an early expression of the views of His Majesty's Government. —Crewe.

*No. 9.

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