NAVAL DEFENCE

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 8

NAVAL DEFENCE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The article on pocket submarines on page five of Friday's "Post" made interesting reading for us .New Zealanders. H.M.S.* Shark, the new boat, is the type we require and must have for defence. The "cost is estimated at £250,000, therefore one for each of our main ports would cost a million plus working expenses—a mere bagatelle considering the interests involved The policy of the Defence Department m increasing the Air Force is to be commended as providing one means of resisting a naval attack; but - submarines would provide surer and better defence, because an attack on; the Dominion must come from the sea, and not from the air. If war" is forced- on Great Britain owing to its wealth 'and vulnerability, • New Zealand would be specially open to attack by a sea Power. Such a.Power might not be alarmed by aerial attack (be sure 'they would have every possible -instrument of defence against, such), but if they knew that in addition'they would have to face such'submarines'as'the Shark it would'be-different.' To be ready for war is* the surest- way to abolish it. I- am, etc., . v " i • - I':.- BEADY, AYE, READY?" ROBERT, BURNS (To the Editor.) " Sir,—lt is to be deplored that your correspondent "Clan Ranald" should be so upset about such a trifling matter as whether or not one should use the diminutive "Bobbie" in referring affectionately, or otherwise, to the late Mr. Burns, of Scotland. While generally pursuing a policy of laissez faire, I feel urged to retort to "Clan Ranald's" statement anent the "hall-mark of ignorance" that I have yet to meet the native of Scotland (of average education) "who refers to his compatriots as s "Scotchmen," or who uses the''adjective "Scotch" in relation to anything other than whisky. For "Clan Ranald's" edification, I would remind him- that the correct words to use are ''Scots" or "Scotsmen" and "Scottish." As to "Bill" Shakespeare—mentioned with such trenchant sarcasm by "Clan Ranald"—it doesn't matter whether we call him "Bill," "Will," or "Willie"— he remains on his lofty pinnacle to tlie world—and to Scotsmen, too—as the immortal Shakespeare. Anyway, why. all .this pother?—l am; etc., AEQUANIMETER.