NAVAL ECONOMIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 62, 15 March 1927, Page 9

NAVAL ECONOMIES

HOW MONEY WAS FOUND

(British Official Wireless.)

ETJGBY, 14th March. In tho course of his speech Mr. Bridgeman said that in 1925 internal saving produced more than was necessary to offset £471,000 required for new building. In 1920 tho estimates were £2,400,000 less than in 1925. They not only paid for now building but saved nearly £2,500,000. In addition, as a result of tho coal stoppage, £3,----250,000 which was voted had not been spent and would go back to the Exchequer.

For this year difficulties in putting forward smaller figures had been un-

usually great, because certain things, quite unavoidable, had to be added to expenditure. Estimates for construction were £9,983,000, as against £9,---053.000. That was an increase of £900,000 in the cost of construction. They had inserted a sum of £125,000 for the cost of sending out ships to China. He did not say that would cover all expense that might be incurred, but he hoped that they would not have to stay in China very long. He had to find something like £2,000,----000 in excess of last year, and the trouble had been to find savings to balance it. SAVINGS EFFECTED.

There was a saving of £150,000 on rates of pay and about. £200,000 on food and clothing, while closing of Bosyth and Pembroke Dockyards had saved amount anticipated. They had had very handsome contribution from Malay States for construction of Singapore Base amounting to £2,000,000. in five instalments, and the Admiralty's share of the contribution waa £576,000 during the year. There would be reduction of about £400,000 in contract work. As result he was able to present estimates of £58,000,000 or about £100,000 less than last year. That was great achievement. Calculation on basis of pre-war prices it would be found that this £58,000,000 would be about £34,000,000, while actual estimates in 1914 before war were £51,----500,000. BEARING THE BURDENS. Dealing with the Imperial Conference of last autumn^ he said that representatives of the overseas Dominions wore given a very close insight into our Navy problems. It was not for us to dictate to other parts of the Empire what they ought to do. He was quite certain they all quite realised their responsibility, and he confidently hoped that in the way which seemed best to them and which it was easiest for them to accomplish they would come to the assistance of the Mother Country in bearing the burdens.

Lieut-Colonel Headlam (Con.), replying during the debate on the Government's whole record, showed that it was always willing to consider naval disarmament and to attend any conference aiming thereat. The programme outlined could not be described by anyone as aggressive to the United States. "Our trade routes are what the Admiralty is seeking to protect," added Lieut.-Colonel Headlam. "The naval air arm is still in its infancy, but it is essential to efficiency that the estimates as a whole should bo adopted, as it represented a very small insurance that people are asked to pay for their food supply and seaborne trade."

The House then went into Committee of Supply.