OUR LITTLE NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 8

OUR LITTLE NAVY.

WHAT IT COSTS.

NET VOTE OF £533,828. (By Telegraph.—ParUamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. It is estimated by the Minister of Defence that an expenditure of £533,828 will be involved in the naval defence of the Dominion during the year endinc March, 1927. The amount voted last Tear was £449,082, and £441,203 was expended. The addition of the Diomede to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy has caused the increase in the vote. In respect of clothing purchases for issue as free kits £12.450 is voted this being an increase of over £4000. For kit upkeep allowances £SSOO is voted, and the victualling of the personnel is estimated to cost £37,000, though only £29,529 was expended last year, the increase being due to the addition of the Diomede to the division.

Dental treatment ashore "is provided for to the extent of £500, and the medical examination of recruits is expected to absorb £200 while medical treatment ashore is estimated to cost £1200, as against a vote of fSOO last year when £1216 was spent. Medical provisions are allowed a vote of £650. Repairs to the Diomede involve a vote of £1000, and £1500 is set down for the Dunedin, while £900 is provided for the biennial docking of the Philomel. The Xueula is due for an extensive refit during the financial year, and £16,000 is voted in respect of her hire from the Admiralty, ■repairs, and stores. A vote of £52,000 is made for spare propellers and boiler tubes for the Diomede, and £750 is voted for a motor moat for the Philomel. £7000 is voted for additional berthing of warships at Devonport. £6000 is voted for freight, insurance, landing and transport costs, and £21j000 for travelling allowances.