[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR. "] SIR,—Referring to your comments
on the Navy Estimates in the Spectator of March 21st, in which you allude to the contributions by the Colonies towards the expenses of the Imperial Navy, I beg to call your attention to the fact that in the discussion on Senator Matheson's recent paper on this subject at the Colonial Institute the consensus of opinion was very much against the lecturer, especially so in the case of those Colonial Agents-General who spoke. Senator Matheson advocated the creation of a small local Navy in lieu of a money contribution as at present, which the Agent-General for New South Wales stated would be impossible for many years to come. Mr. Arnold-Forster in his speech in the House of Commons on the Navy Estimates said " that to keep up a very small squadron of ships would cost the Commonwealth of Australia 21,000,000 a year," and it is very doubtful if they would be prepared to spend half that amount in existing circum- stances. It is the case that Sydney Harbour is crowded with sailing-boats on Sundays and holidays, but they are manned by business men and clerks, who, having a beautiful harbour near at hand, adopt this means of exercise and recreation. They are not seafaring men, and it is doubtful if their occupa- tions would permit of their going to sea for a short annual training. It appears to me that the practical way of starting a local Navy, as suggested by Senator Matheson and others, would be to officer and man one of the present cruisers on the Australian station with Australians, the ship so manned working with the present squadron under the Admiral, and taking her turn of duty on all parts of the station. Should there be any difficulty at first in providing officers, we have on the list some who are Australians, and these might be selected for this service. The complete cost for maintenance might be borne by the Commonwealth, the necessary stores and ammunition being supplied at cost price by the Imperial Government. I quite understand the aspira- tions evinced by some of the Australians to have a Navy of their own, but in my opinion they are not yet in a position to maintain an efficient squadron either as regards means or population. At the same time, I am not in accord with certain Members of Parliament and certain writers in our periodicals who are dictating as to the amount of the contribution due from the Colonies. That is their affair ; but I feel sure that when they are able to do so they will be ready to undertake a larger share of the burden of the Empire.—I am, Sir, &c., N. BOWDEN-SMITH, Admiral.
16 Queen's Gate Terrace, S.W.
[Admiral Bowden-Smith's suggestion for giving facilities for naval training to a certain number of Australians in a British cruiser is an excellent one, and entirely consistent with the spirit of our remarks last week.—ED. Spectator.)
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