VS. NAVAL SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 7

VS. NAVAL SCHEME.

Coolidge Disregards Desire Of Congress. NO MONEY FOR BUILDING. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association i (Received 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 14. President Coolidge upset the calculations of Congress by submitting a proposal that only £2.474,000 Be appropriated for starting five of the fifteen new cruisers and the aircraft carrier during the fiscal year, beginning July 1. President Coolidge and the Budget Director. Mr. H. M. Lord, disregarded the desire of Congress to begin work immediately by failing to submit any estimate for construction at this time.

The Congressional leaders had wanted twice as much money as the President is now seeking to authorise. They desired at least £2,400,000 for immediate work and a further £2,400,000 for next year.

The Senate's Appropriations Subcommittee of Naval Affaire promptly called the executive to the session and questioned Mr. Wilbur, Secretary for the Navy, regarding the President's action. There was much discussion about appropriating the money without the sanction of President Coolidge, but this would involve numerous entanglements.

MISTAKEN POLICY.

Britain's Scrapping Of Naval

Units.

SECURITY MENACED

(" Times " Cables.) (Received 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON, February 14

"The fleet is wearing out and the replacement of a number of cruiser* is overdue. Further reduction would menace our security."

This statement is made by Sir Cyril Cobb, chairman of the Navy League, in a letter urging the Admiralty to carry out in full the 1928-30 naval programme. Ho declares that the making of gestures by dropping vessels has been proved to be a mistaken policy because most of the other Powers, instead of reciprocating, have considerably increased building allocations. Hβ points out that since the Armistice, Britain has scrapped naval vessels totalling 2,100,291 tons.