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THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.
The first section of the Australian fleet,
including the flagship, has been taken
over by the Australian Government, and
a new era in the history of the Commonwealth
and the Empire makes a
formal beginning. Just at present, of
course, there is immense enthusiasm,
and the public has no patience to spare
for those who may be inclined to doubt
the wisdom of the revolutionary change.
Undoubtedly the time has come when
the Dominions must realise the obliga-
tion which rests on them to do something
more adequate towards the defence
of the Empire. In this regard
Australia has shown a fine example by
being the first to introduce universal
military training, and by the determination
now being carried into effect,
to have a fleet of her own. It is so
big and ambitious idea for a country
with its population a good deal short
of five millions of people to undertake
the building and manning of a fleet of
such a size as is contemplated, and with
all the adjuncts of naval stations, and
sub-stations und dockyards. We time
an admiral of our own, and a big staff
of officers is to be established, and we
are, to use a popular slang phrase,
''doing ourselves well." Fortunately, or
unfortunately, there has been a run of
good seasons, and, money being plentiful,
no one minds what is spent on so
picturesque a scheme. What people will
say in a few years' time, when perhaps
money will not be quite so plentiful,
and the annual expenditure on the navy
will be growing greater and greater, is
yet to be known. The life of a ship
of war is limited, not by its seaworthiness
but according; to its value as a
fighting machine in comparison with
newer ships, built according to new and
shiny; more expensive, plans. However,
this is a time of general rejoicing,
and not a time for questioning the wisdom
of those who govern us.
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