VIEWS OF ADMIRALTY OBTAINED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 4

VIEWS OF ADMIRALTY OBTAINED

Mr Jones said his statement on defence on April 3 had met with general approval. Although the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) had ridiculed the proposals contained in it, the only general criticism had been that it lacked provision for compulsory military service. Mr Jones said the best possible advice was obtained in the preparation of the plans for three services. Advice was obtained from the Admiralty, Lord Montgomery, and Lord Tedder. An Opposition voice: Did you take the- advice? Mr Jones said he would give the House extracts from the opinions which were obtained. The Admiralty had agreed with the proposal to buy six frigates and one survey vessel, but suggested they

i- should be of one class. The Admirj alty report had stated: “The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty find ® the proposals, which they consider will a materially help tp make a balanced t, fleet as between * Australia and New n Zealand, most welcome and wish to y assure the New Zealand Government of the value of these initial plans for .- contributing to the mutual defence of if the Commonwealth.” e Their Lordships had recommended r, the acquisition of a homogenous flotilla of escort vessels, suggesting that it e would be preferable to chooSe the Loch class frigates, which, because of their e superior qualities of performance and s armament, would be of greater value in the future. Mr Jones said these six e frigates had already been bought at a e cost of more than £2,000,000, and the y survey vessel was to come.