BRITISH NAVAL STRENGTH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10457, 25 July 1925, Page 5

BRITISH NAVAL STRENGTH

COST OF THE SERVICES. AN' INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, July-23. In the House of Commons, Mr Baldwin said the Admiralty would do its'utmost t<i diminish the extra cost of new construction by substantial reductions in maintenance and other charges. Moreover, .a committee of three, not connected with the Government, would be appointed as soon as possible to examine maintenance cost, and .interior economy of the Navy., Army, and Air Services. There were lively .questioning by:Labourites and others. Mr Arthur Henderson intimated that the Opposition would ,give attention ,to the matter on Tuesday. Mr Purcell wondered "When we would get a Government with courage to put the Admiralty in its proper place." Commander J. M. Ken worthy asked whether the programme had 'been drawn up without reference to the ships being built abroad. Mr Baldwin, replying, emphasised that this was entirely a .replacement programme. He promised detailed .explanations during the debate.

. SCATTERED TRADE ROUTES. BRITAIN'S SURE SHIELD. , LONDON, Jrarne M. ''•'The Times" congratulates .the Priaee Minister and Cabinet om ,the tlement of tlie cruiser question, :and says: "The industrial state (Qtf ttihe country is not such as to inyjfce unnecessary divisions, nor is the Emipire overseas, especially in the Par East, set in. so peaceful an environment momentosjly that "the maintenance of adequate for British trade routes and scattered dependencies, could 'be allowed to drift."