STICK TO GUNS'.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 67, 20 March 1937, Page 9

"BRITAIN WILL STICK TO GUNS".

a AVAL DESIGNS.

Other Powers' Decisions

No Difference. 14-INCH OR 16-INCH MAXIMUM, British Official Wireless. (Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, March 10. A hope that it would still be possible to implement the naval agreements reached at the London Treaty last year, was expressed during a debate in the House of Commons on the Navy, Estimates by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir. Samuel lioare. It would be a'calamity, he said,/if that were not possible and if there again started competition in new types and sizes. , Regarding references made during the debate to Japan's naval, policy, Sir Samuel said he had no oflicial information 011 the subject, but he thought it would be a matter of very great regret to alt if any one of the naval Powers started building guns bigger than 14inch or battleships bigger than 35,000 tons. Britain was definitely arming,her new battleships with 14-inch guns, and did not intend to make a change. "We intended to stick to 14-inch guns Tor 35,000-ton battleships," lie added, "and I am sure that if only all the other naval Powers would do the same—and there is a very wide measure of agreement among the naval Powers as a whole—l do not think any Navy would lose in efficiency;" Asked if larger ships and guns made an appearance, whether Britain would still stick to her plans and sizes for battleships as indicated in the Estimates, the First Lord replied: "Yes. We are going to stick to our designs for these ships and 1 hope we shall not have to change them in (lie future. If other countries break away from the agreement we must consider the situation at the time." JAPAN'S BIG GUNS. Intention to Build 16in Confirmed. VERBAL INFORMATION. (Received 11.30 a.m.) London, March 19. It is now confirmed that Japan intends to build 16-inch guns. The Tokyo Government verbally informed the retiring British Ambassador, Sir Robert Give, that it "cannot see its way clear (o acccpt a 14-inch limitation," as outlined in last year's London Naval Treaty-.