TEN MILLION FOUNDS FOR BRITISH NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1936, Page 7

TEN MILLION FOUNDS FOR BRITISH NAVY.

ADDITIONAL VOTE. Thirty-eight Vessels to Be Constructed. MORE MONEY FOR SINGAPORE. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 30. A Supplementary Naval -Estimate of £10,300,000 provides, starting with 1936, a construction programme for additional expenditure on equipment and reserves for defence as outlined in the White Paper of March 3. The estimate for the work oil the Singapore Base is increased from £8,01)3,000 to £10,001,000.

The 1030 programme comprises 38 vessels and a number of smaller units, including live cruisers, nine destroyers, one aircraft-carrier and four submarines. The supply of anti-aircraft guns on existing ships is being accelerated.

Also included in the Supplementary Estimate is a further £2,000,000 for special naval measures in the Abyssinian dispute.

NAVAL PREPARATION

Japan to Fortify Key Points

In Pacific,

WHEN TREATY EXPIRES

(Received 10..50 a.m.)

LONDON, April 30

The Sun-Herald news service says the Japanese Parliament is expected immediately to provide finances for fortification' of key points in Japanese Pacific islands in readiness for the termination of the Washington Naval Treaty at the end of this year. The Emperor has convened ail extraordinary session of Parliament for May 4, to be held under martial law conditions. It is expected that the proceedings will be unusually important, particularly in connection with the Army and Navy expansionist programme. The Navv's 1030-37 Budget will probablv exceed £3."),000.000, and is continuing to increase annually owing to capita? ship replacements, independent armament plans, modernisation of naval armaments on the basis of non-tieaty relations, and modernisation of the naval air arm.

NAVAL TREATY TALKS. RUSSIA IS WILLING. British Official Wireless. (Received 11i.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 30. After the naval treaty was signed in London 011 March 25, copies of the agreement were communicated to other naval Powers, both members and nonmembers of the League of Nations, and the British Government undertook to enter into conversations with any of those Powers with a view to securing wider application of the principles embodied in the treaty.

The Russian Ambassador in London, M. Maiskv, informed the Foreign Secretary of the willingness of his Government to enter into such discussions, and it is understood the Russian naval attache, who has been absent from London, will shortly be returning with his Government's instructions to begin an exchange of views.

OLD GERMAN STEEL

FOR NEW BRITISH SHIPS. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, April 30. The "Daily Telegraph" says the old German Navy is helpijig to build the new British Navy and merchant ships. Works at Sheffield and in Scotland are making steel plates from scrap from the scuttled warships salvaged from Scapa Flow. It is stated that similar plates are embodied in the liner Queen Mary. German brasswork has also been used.

DISCUSS DEFENCE. SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER. (Received 10.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN, April 30. The Minister of Defence, Mr. O. Pirow, is to go to England on May 22 to discuss South African communications and defence with the British Government. BRITAIN AND TURKEY. CLOSE FRIENDSHIP LAUDED. (Received 10 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, April 30. Local authorities at Clianak warmly welcomed the cruisers Australia and Sydney The Press lauds the friendship between Britain and Turkey, declaring that this was amply manifested by the laying of wreaths oil the graves of Allied* ami Turkish dead. The crews of the Sydney and Australia visited the Gallipoli cemeteries and met a Turkish delegation. Jointly they placed wreaths on the Turkish and British memorials.