AUSTRALIA’S NAVAL DEFENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 838, 12 March 1903, Page 2

AUSTRALIA’S NAVAL DEFENCE

DISCUSSED AT BOYAL COLONIAL INSTITUTE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 11.10 p.m., March 11. London, March 10. The Earl of Aberdeen presided at the reading of Senator Matheson’s paper on ! Australia and naval defence, before the ■ Royal Colonial Institute. Mr Mathewson declared that Australia's first duty in connection with Imperial defence was to provide absoluto security for a base in the Pacific, leaving offensive action to the British navy. No local defence would be efficient without a squadron of sea-going cruisers operating in Australian waters for the defence of floating trade, and under Australian control. Australia ought to rent British protected vessels of three thousand tons, armed with modern 61, five quick-firers, costing £IOO,OOO each, manned by Australian crews, until able to " navy. With her present means acquire » "—fie such cruisers, and she should rent iu.. u , three others within three yeai-.' . I sisted that Admiral Beaumont’s req<J re " ments showed that the squadron the Admiralty now offered Australia was insufficient. The speakers included Admirals Bowden, Smith, Fremantle, and Fitzgerald, Lords Brassey, Lamington, and Farrington. The Admirals contended that the cost of the proposed fleet was ridiculously understated. More powerful vessels were required to follow the enemy on the Australian trading route. Circumstances might render it essential for the j Australian squadron to co-operate with the China fleet. Admiral Fremantle declared that if the South Atlantic squadron was composed of heavy, fast cruisers it j would prove a better defence of Australian I trade than Matheson’s scheme. The Queensland Agent-General said that the | Commonwealth had neither money nor men to undertake an Australian fleet at present. Mr Copeland said that it was neither reasonable nor honest to expect jreat Britain to protect Australian foreign ;rade without proper contribution to the SI avy.