On Wednesday Sir E. Barton, in pursuance of the con-
clusions arrived at at the Premiers' Conference in London, moved the second reading of the Naval Agreement Bill in the Federal House of Representatives. " The new agreement is for a contribution of £200,000 annually for ten years, and is terminable at two years' notice after the eighth year. The naval force on the Australian station is to consist of one first, two second, and four third class cruisers and four sloops. The sphere of operations will include the East Indian and China Stations. The agreement does not imply that an Australian squadron is to patrol those waters, but that it shall go there if necessary, the consent of the Commonwealth Government not being essential. A branch of the Royal Naval Reserve will be formed in Australasia, consisting of twenty-five officers, seven hundred men, and four of the ships mentioned above (the other ships being kept in commission), to be manned by sixteen hundred Australians and New Zealanders, to be paid at Australian rates."
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