NAVAL ESTIMATES

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 March 1922, Page 5

NAVAL ESTIMATES

CRITICISED BY ADMIRAL. THE VALUE OF AIRCRAFT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Recd. 9.20 a.m. LONDON, Alarch 24. In the House of Commons, mi the Navy vote, Admiral Suetter declared that there "'is no justification for the Estimates. He said : “If W e had had Zeppelin or torpedo aircraft on the morning after the Jutland Battle we could have got every enemy ship. Thus, owing to our Admiralty’s stupidity, we were deprived of the full fruits of the victory.’’ He questioned the wisdom of building battleships. They could leave the safety of the Empire in the hands of the submarines and the airmen, with light cruisers and destroyers. Colonel .Amery agreed as to the value of aircraft, but contended that even in peace time Britain could not run the risk of being* weaker than any Bower with whom she might come to be at war. It was necessary not- io be hopelessly inferior in the type of vessel, which was stiil the kernel ami pivot of naval battle. The Navy they were keeping in active commission was the smallest they could afford to maintain from the viewpoint of the national position and trade. The vote was passed.