COSTS COMPARED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 10

COSTS COMPARED

DEFENCE PROGRAMMES

BRITAIN AND NEW ZEALAND

ROYAL NAVY'S ROLE

Figures relating to Britain's extensive re-armament programme and something of Britain's naval.objective, were given by Earl Beatty, chairman of the London executive of the Navy League, in his public address at the Concert Chamber last night.

Earl Beatty said that by 1941-42 there would be a total of 22 capital ships, 73 cruisers, two anti-aircraft cruisers, 191 destroyers, 73 submarines, 10 air-craft-carriers, and three aircraft tenders. It was a prodigious programme, he said, but when one compared it with what Britain had in 1918 he thought they would agree that Britain had still a great distance to travel. In 1918 Britain nad 59 capital ships, compared with 22, 109 cruisers compared with 73, 433 destroyers compared with 191, and 130 submarines compared with 73, so that in spite of the present great programme Britain still had a long way to go down that road which was going to give real and safe security at the end. TWO-POWER STANDARD. Britain's object was to return to what was. called a two-Power standard, which meant a double fleet—one at Home sufficient for protection in Home waters and one in the Far East based on Singapore for the protection of the Dominions and colonies in this part of the world. By 1942 Britain might be able to move two divisions of battleships or more, seven, say, to be based on Singapore. That, he thought they would, agree, was hardly sufficient if we should ever be plunged into a war between totalitarian States and any potential enemy in the Far East. SINGAPORE BASE. The completion of the Singapore Base was of great value to New Zealand. It lay in the flank of any potential enemy of New Zealand and it would be extremely difficult in those (circumstances for an aggressor to do much more than damage the Domin--1 ion's trade routes. Earl Beatty added | that he had a certain amount of pride in Singapore because it was one of the great objectives of his late father's policy when he was First Sea Lord. (Applause.)

Continuing, Earl Beatty said that Britain's defence programme was costing the people a great deal of money. In the financial year 1937-38 it was roughly £7 15s per head in New Zealand currency, whereas in New Zealand the expenditure roughly was one New Zealand pound per head. The 1938-39 estimate was that the cost in Great Britain would be £9 10s per head out of revenue and out of the taxes the people paid, whereas the people in New Zealand would pay £1 5s per head. The figures spoke for themselves. In submitting them he made no comment, he said, but he suggested that the position warranted consideration, for the value of the overseas trade of New Zealand carried in New Zealand ships was £123,000,000 a year, and at the present time New Zealand had one cruiser and two sloops on its naval station, because it was common knowledge that the other cruiser was at Home refitting. Was it any wonder that when he arrived at Auckland he remarked upon the weakness of New Zealand? TRADE ROUTES IN PACIFIC. Earl Beatty said that the problem of defence of our trade routes in the Pacific Ocean and of the protection of the Dominion was altering every day and it must increase in the future, because almost half of the world's population was centred and grouped around the shores of this ocean. Around it also were lands which were the least populated and the least developed of the world's food lands. At the same time it was bordered by territory belonging to the three greatest sea powers. The consequence was that the strategic value of everything Britain possessed in this great ocean and the remote islands was vastly increasing year, by year, because they would become potential bases both for naval ships and for aircraft of those three great nations. It seemed to him that a carefully calculated proportion of suitable harbours based on thengeographical and strategical position must be chosen and defended in a j proper manner—bases from which our cruisers defending our convoys could operate arid bases properly defended at which our merchant men could call to await convoy. Earl Beatty emphasised that it was! of the greatest importance also, in addition to the Royal Navy being brought up to requirements, that the merchant marine should also not be forgotten. ; New Zealand's task, he said, seemed j to be easy enough. New Zealand's heritage was on the sea. "If we in England have the right to say that the sea is us," he added, "you also have the right to say that at the opposite end of the* world." PART OF THE NAVY. Another note struck by Earl Beatty was that however powerful armies might become and whatever the glamour and attraction to young men of the Air Force the integrity of the Empire must always remain upon the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy, he said, was the insurance company of the economic unity of the Empire.

He asked those present not to rest until there was a larger and more powerful squadron in New Zealand waters. It was important also that there should be proper bases from which to operate. He stressed also the importance of the merchant marine being fostered, and suggested that the Dominion Governments might combine with the Home Government on this question.

In concluding Earl Beatty said that New Zealand was one of the most British of the Dominions, and whatever the political feelings one of the most loyal. "We must. co-operate and join," he said, "in all the essential things of life and regard our responsibilities in the same light, for ours is a common bond, a bond of blood which can never be broken." (Applause.)

Before he began his address Earl Beatty, who was accompanied by the. Countess Beatty, was welcomed by the. Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) and by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) on behalf of the Government. Both expressed the hope that the Earl and Countess would be able to return to New Zealand.