NATION'S SAFETY

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 71, 25 March 1922, Page 5

NATION'S SAFETY

DEBATE ON NAVAL VOTE

BIG SHIPS AGAIN ATTACKED

NAV/Y THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE

(CNIIS.D rAISS /-SJCCIATIt.N.—COFIRISK'r.)

(AUSTRALIAN - NEW ZEALAND CAILE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received March 25, 10 a.m.)

LONDON, 24th March.

Speaking in the House of Commons on the Naval Vote of £12,000,000, RearAdmiral Sueter declared there was no justification for large 1 Estimates. If we had had Zeppelins or torpedo-carry-ing aircraft on the morning after the Battle of Jutland, we would have got every enemy ship. Thus, owing to the Admiralty's stupidity, we were deprived of the full fruits of victory. He questioned the building of battleships. They could, he said, leave the safety of the Empire in tho hands of the submarines and the airmen, with light cruisers and destroyer*.

Colonel Amary agreed as to the'Talue of aircraft, b-ut contended that even in peace time the nation could not run the risk of being weaker than any Power with which it might come to war. It was necessary not to be hopelessly inferior in a type of vessel which was still the kernel and pivot of a naval battle. The navy which they wore keeping actively in commission was the smallest they could afford to maintain from the viewpoint of the national position and trade.

Tile vote was passed.