STRENGTH OF THE NAVY

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 2 April 1913, Page 5

STRENGTH OF THE NAVY

ELEVEN DREADNOUGHTS '

MAY BE BUILT THIS YEAR.

THE DOMINIONS' HELP.

ts7 Cable.—Fress .'-s.soclat'on.—Coiijrisht.j

LONDON, April 1

A further statement in regard to the naval situation was made in the House of Commons to-day by Mr. Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty). It would be possible, he said, to commence four or five first-class ships during 1913 in addition to the five battleships included in the annual programme and the ship presented by the Malay States, thus making a total of ten or eleven, which they would bo able to complete in 24 or 30 months. Mr. Churchill said that it would not lie necessary to raise any loans or to impose fresh taxation, as the money available for the reduction of the national debt far exceeded anything that would be required. EFFECT OF CANADA'S POLICY. Having regard to the responsibilities of the Empire In the Pacific and Mediterranean it was clear that the margin of strength available for the whole world service would be insufficient after the first quarter of 191G, unless the Domin.ions or Britain took further steps. If there was any new development in the Mediterranean or the Pacific, or if , Canada's proposal to provide three ships was not carried into effect, it would be necessary to review the situation. As to Canada's offer, Britain, he said, could build the three ships herself, but the fact of Canada coming forward to testify to the enduring life of the Empire had already produced an impression throughout the world which was as valuable as many Dreadnoughts. It was immaterial, Mr Churchill added, whether the offer took the form of Mr. Borden's or Sir Wilfrid Laurier's policy. SHXPBtjnuBIWG HOLIDAY. Mr. Churchill rebutted the suggestion put forward by some of the German newspapers that he had made the proposal for a twelve months' holiday in naval construction because of congestion in British shipyards.

The Home Office's aviation regulations, which, he said, the Admiralty warmly welcomed, were defended by Mr Churchill.