NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10350, 14 March 1925, Page 5

NAVAL ESTIMATES.

INCREASED SUM PROVIDEC

WORK AT SINGAPORE BASE.

VITAL LINK IN PACIFIC. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, March 13. The Navy Estimates for 1925-26 amount to £60,500,000, an increase of £4,700,000 compared with those for the current year. This figure does not include provision for now construction, which is now being but provides for the completion of the cruisers Effingham, Emerald, and Enterprise, and submarines L 26 and L 27, while the construction of the battleships Rodney and Nelson and of five cruisers of the Kent class, a minelayer, two destroyers, and one submarine will be further advanced. The Admiralty is greatly interested in the development of airships, in view of their possible value for naval reconnaissance. The Admiralty, in concert with the .A"" Ministry, is studying a design of mooring masts in ships, which is an important development, and, if successful, will enhance the value of airships for naval purposes, reduce base expenditure, and render bases- mobile.

The personnel of the Fleet is 102,000, an increase of 2175.

The Estimates provide for the resumption of work and development of the naval base at Singapore, which is emphasised as a vital link in the chain of communications with the British Dominions in the Pacific. The statement by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr W. C. Bridgman, explanatory to the Estimates, says the reasons advanced by the late Government for suspending the Singapore scheme have been examined by his Majesty's present advisers and found unconvincing.