THE BRITISH NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 6

THE BRITISH NAVY.

The gist of the statement of the First Lord of the-Admiralty in introducing the naval estimates is that reductions have been made within what is considered the limit of safety, but that if the Naval Conference is a failure more money may have to be spent. Mr. Alexander did well not only to re-emphasise the extent to which Britain has cut down the service, but to translate the estimates into prewar values. Britain is charged with spending more on' defence than she did before the war, though the result of the war disarmed the nation from which she had. most to fear. This, however, is not a fair comparison. The First Lord shows that on pre-war values, and taking the actual effective services, the estimates to-day are 56 per cent lower than they <vere in 1914. This reduction may not be commensurate with the sacrifices Britain made in the war or the extent of Britain's victory, but -it should impress the world. The plain fact is that Britain has gone further in reduction of naval when her special ,needs are ooncem«.d~-*tCian any other Power,

and it is no wonder that Britons ask with rising emphasis why .there should not be a more-proportionate-reciprocity abroad. The Government stands between the Conservatives, who would not reduce naval strength so much, and the extremists of the Labour party, who would cut it doAvn to nothing or next to nothing. It is significant that an amendment moved by a Conservative was withdrawn after the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty had given an assurance that the number of cruisers was subject to the outcome of the' Conference. The Opposition criticised the estimates but did not wish to embarrass the Government during the progress, of the Conference. When the Conference is over the whole question may be debated with more freedom.