BRITAIN’S NAVY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10064, 31 July 1925, Page 4

BRITAIN’S NAVY

ESTIMATES DISCUSSED IN COMMONS

RAMSAY MACDONALD MOVES* REDUCTION OF VOTE.

LLOYD-GEORGE STATES NO -MENACE IN EUROPE.

(Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received July 30, 7.30 p.m.) .LONDON, July 29. In the Commons, discussing the naval estimates, Mr. J. C. Davidson stated that the battleship NeJ/von.. would be completed by the end o. tiie year, the battleship- Rodney in April, 1927, two cruisers in May, 192/ , three probably in October, 1927, and layers and destroyers in June,. 1./~<o. The complete cost of the new ship was£sß,ooo.ooo. , „ , Mr. Ramsay MacDonald moved a reduction of the vote. He denounced this expenditure and declared there was no possibility of any development in the political, situation in the next decade which (should make war necessary or inevitable. Nobody would say America or Japan were possible enemies. and so far as France is concerned the problem was primarily aerial. There should be no new budding at present by anv Government actively engaged in promoting disarmament conferences. , ilr. Lloyd George said there was no menace in Europe justifying this programme. He asked whether them was a menace to our trade roil too in the. Pacific justifying the burden. (,‘ould the Government - conceive any peril in the Pacific during the next decode where the United States would not he far more involved than we, and on the same side? Mr Churchill declared the Admiralty had made the most extreme, efforts to reduce the charge on the Exchequer. The programme as finally proposed by the Admiralty and accepted by the Government, was no more than any reasonable man would consider necessary for sober but solid defence and our permanent naval position. The only menace was that of the fleet wearing out. Mr. Chamberlain announced that Mr. Baldwins statement on- the naval programme made on July 23 must he amended, inasmuch as the annual construction of nine destroyers begin in 1927 and not in 1926-27.

(EEUTE&’S TEIiEGEAM.I (Received July 30, 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 29

Mr. Churchill said the Admiralty were determined there should be administrative economies. T.be programme only did what was necessary to maintain the British fleet at tiie one-Power standard. Mr. Snowden strongly attacked tho Admiralty. He said he did not attach importance to any Admiralty promise to effect considerable reductions-. All the talk about replacement failed .to disguise the fact that this was an increase of the strength of the Navy. The alternative was a disarmament conference.

The Hon. ML C. Bridgeman, replying, said our need for cruisers was far greater than any other country, because of our widespread Empire. The present cruiser strength was the lowest since 1389. The lesson or the Falkland Islands showed the necessity for the speed and strength of cruiser armament. He.ouoted figures showing Britain’s consider able, disadvantage in 1929 compared with the United States, Japan'and France, if we did not lay down cruisers. He insisted on the need for an adequate navy, not as, a weapon of offence but as a policy of insurance. Other countries were also probably doing the same

’ (Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received July 30, 8.10 p.m.)

LONDON. July 29. Tho Hon. W. C. Bridgeman quoted figures showing that out of 329 warships of different kinds laid down by five great maritime Powers since the war our share was only, eleven, including the two Australian cruisers. The question of employment was not the first consideration, but the programme would mean a disbursement of £45.000,000 in wages alone. Thc\ only wise course for Britain, so long as other countries armed, was to pur-■-ne a steady policy of replacement as the ships became obsolete, and be always ready to consider the general proposition of disarmament consistent with the security of the Empire. Mr. MacDonald’s motion was rejected bv 267 votes to 140.