Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Saturday 27 February 1909, page 10


AUSTRALIA'S SHIPPING

INDUSTRY. l

QUESTION OF DEFENCE.

Melbourne, February 20

At a reception to-day on board the Adelaide

Steamship Company's new steamer, Koombana the Federal Attorney-General

i (Mr. W. Hughes), in responding to the toast of the "Commonwealth Parliament," referred to the immense propor-tions the Australian shipping industry had i assumed during late years, legislation in a connection with it he said should be only a resorted to when desirable, and should

not be meddlesome. The shipping indusi try was a signal example of Australian suc' cess. Senator Pearce Minister of De-

fence) pointed out that the German Emperor when speaking lately with regard to the £2.500,000 voted by his Government for German naval defence, said the German navy was required to protect German interests in the Pacific. Australia had interests valued at £16.000.000

in her coastal trade, and what were German interests compared with those? What should Australia be prepared to pay to safeguard her £16,000,000 worth? Australia also had large interests in the East. While German trade was at a standstill Australian trade was increasing vastly. With these facts before them they, would not be true to their country if they did not help to prepare for her safety in time of stress and war. (Cheers.) They might have a powerful military arm, but that could not keep the way open for the coastal trade.' It was because of this that the Government had seen the necessity and taken steps towards the foundation of an Australian navy. (Cheers.)

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr. Mahon) said the Government should be prepared to subsidise in a generous manner strips and steamship companies like the Koombana and the Adelaide Steamship Company. The coastal trade which they had built up was one of Australia's most precious possessions, and no sacrifice should be too great to preserve it.