Mr. Childers is carrying out some reform of the Admiralty,
which may or may not be effective, but which certainly does not look so. What the Admiralty wants is a First Lord with complete power and responsiblity, a Sea Lord who shall be his professional secretary, but if possible permanent, and under those two, four or five obedient and efficient heads of departments. Mr. Childers proposes, however, to put a Sea Lord in the Commission who will change with the Ministry ; and the Controller, who will not change, but who, being in the Commission, will not be necessarily subordinate ; and two Junior Lords, of whom one will be a captain and one a civilian. That may work while the First Lord really understands his business as well as his colleagues, but unless he takes a position of complete control the Sea Lord and Controller will be the true Admiralty, and very nearly irresponsible. The responsible Minister should be High Admiral, and beyond argument.
