Leading article from SYDNEY MORNING HERALD of 14 Oct 1913
ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE KING-HALL K.C.B., C.V.O.
The departure of Admiral Sir George King-Hall marks the end of a regime, as the arrival of our own Australian Fleet marked the beginning of another. However self-reliant and self-confident we may be we cannot look back upon the old order whose ending is signalled by Admiral King-Hall’s departure, without some considerable regret. The British Navy has been our first line of defence too long for us to part with it without some sense of personal loss, even though the change is one rather nominal than actual. Fortunately Admiral King-Hall proved to be a connecting link of the happiest kind. Thoroughly true to, and typical of, the best traditions of the British Navy, he yet displayed an extraordinary sympathy with the aspirations and ideals of the Australian people. And there has been no doubt at all that this sympathy has been of immense value to Australia at a very critical time. Admiral King-Hall’s opinions have naturally carried great weight, and the whole of that weight has been cast in favour of the Australian Navy idea. The importance of this assistance can hardly be over-rated; for the scheme as it now so prosperously beginning to emerge was by no means a foregone conclusion.
As Senator Millen remarked the other night, Admiral King-Hall may better be regarded as ushering in the new order of things, than as a departing guest, who represents the old order changing. In the latter sense it is true that we have seldom had an Admiral in charge of the Australian station, who by unobtrusive courtesy and goodwill has won more general respect. The last of the old regime has certainly been one of the most popular admirals we have ever had, and in that regard the good wishes of the whole community go with him wherever he may be. But although we do honour him as the last representative of the navy as it used to be, we cannot but grow more enthusiastic when we remember how very much the departing Admiral has done to wear down all opposition to the new ideal and to help on that ideal to practical success. We probably do not quite realise what it is we have done, or, at any rate, begun to do. It was a task that might well have deterred a stronger community than ourselves. And just because of that the wise advice of a skilled naval officer, given quietly just when it was wanted, has proved of more value than almost anything else could have been. We were ready to do our best, but without such help we could scarcely have done it; and it is a satisfaction to feel that though Admiral King-Hall is leaving us, his interest in the work inaugurated during his term of office is not likely to pass away; but rather that we may confidently rely on his sympathy and support in whatever inevitable difficulties may arise in accomplishing our great ideal - a local fleet working in absolute unison with the Imperial Navy for the mutual protection of all parts of the Empire. We cannot always hope to be quite understood outside, and the greatest possible service that can be rendered us is that which can be given by a man such as Admiral King-Hall, who will be able, with all authority, to help those who do not know us quite so well to enter into our point of view and to realise that however devoted we may be to our “home fleet” our Imperial patriotism does not suffer, but rather grows by all that we do for our own defence. To say that Australia will wish good bye to a sterling friend (to use Senator Pearce’s phrase) is the very simplest expression of parting we can use as Sir George King-Hall leaves us.