NAVAL STRENGTH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 125, 8 March 1930, Page 5

NAVAL STRENGTH

THE BRITISH ESTIMATES.

NO NEW BUILDING THIS YEAR. AN UNPRECEDENTED POSITION. (Uniied Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, March 6. The most important event to-day bearing on the Naval Conference was the publication- of the British Nayal estimates. The "Daily Telegraphs naval correspondent points out that for the first time on record the Admiraltv will begin the financial year without authority to lay down a single ship of anv description. This unprecedented step is taken because the Government decided not to formulate a programme till it knows the result ot the <Conference. Even more important than the cessation of shipbuilding is the 'reduction of personnel, which seems to presuppose a shrinkage of the Fleet, which at the present stage of the Conference is hardly warranted m the British Navv, as at the present moment there are only thirteen capital ships in full commission on a basis of instant readiness for action, which is believed to be the lowest in our history as a great naval Power Referring to Singapore, the 'Telegraph's" correspondent says that the, Government, after reviewing the situa-' tion presumably is consulting the Dominions, and finds itself committed to the task of going on with the new base. ACAIN IN WORKING ORDER. FRENCH AT THE CONFERENCE. (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 7. "Well, the Naval Conference has got back into working order now, and is going full steam ahead," declared Mr MacDonald, greeting journalists after a meeting of'the heads of delegations. The official spokesman explained that some commentators said: Do not let yourselves get into figures. How could he get anything without figures, he asked'. "I cannot say what is going to be the result, but I unhesitatingly and unreservedly express the opinion that work is going to be done." , , , Asked if he could suggest how long the Conference would last, he replied that it should not.be very long now. It was legitimate to say it had been prolonged. "We reckon to finish before the discussion on the Budget on April 14. It is still possible." An official communique states: "The heads of delegations met in the morning and exuressed deep sympathy with France's loss of life, suffering and damage from the disastrous fioods. M. Briand returned thanks to his colleagues, and emphasised the extent to which France appreciated the sentiment. The First Committee's first report, dealing with general questions, was referred to the third plenary session. The committee then reviewed'in detail two 'closeljj-re'lated questions which were referred back to the First Committee for further examination.

SIZE OF SUBMARINES. i DIFFERENCES OF OPINION. LONDON. March 6. The Naval Conference Experts' Committee continued its discussion of the submarine problem. Britain and America are willing to accept as a basis if discussion the maximum tonnage- suggested at Geneva, namely. 1800 tons. Italy agreed to this, but Japan demanded 2000 tons. France would accept any figure agreeable to the other Powers if she were permitted to retain a certain number of submarines up to 3000 tons. Britain and America would compromise on 2000 tons provided there was only one class of submarine, none of which- would exceed that figure. Italy also urged that there should be but a single class. » It is pointed out that the French proposal favouring 3000-tcnners would 1 create a hew category, which could be numbered individually like cruisers, thereoy providing a super-submarine apart from the smaller ones which arc included in the global tonnage.

APPEAL TO MR MACDONALD. VIEWS OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS. LONDON, March 7. The League of Nations Union passed a resolution reaffirming the conviction that owing to the security provided bythe League Covenant and the Pact ol Paris, the Naval Conference should result in a large all-round reduction ot armaments. It is. appealing to Mr Ramsay MacDonald to use the full resources of his authority and influence to restore the confident atmosphere ill which the Conference began its labours.