THE NAVY

Grey River Argus, 5 September 1919, Page 3

THE NAVY

LORD FISHER 'B STRONG LETTER. SETS UP BIG CONTROVERSY. ALL AGREE FOR- ECONOMY. (Reuter Telegrams) (Rcc September 4, 5.5 p.m.) "' LONDON, September 3. Lord Fisher's strong letter against waste of money in t^c navy has aroused a storm of controversy, and it is agreed on all hands htat there is undoubtedly great economy in the navy necessary. Some contend the country must proceed cautiously lest the Empire's naval strength might be impaired, ffO MORE £8 000,000 SHIPS. PERCY SCOTT*SPEAKS AGAIN. AVIATION THE DEFENCE OF THE FUTURE . GOVERNMENT AT FAULT. — — - — 0 (Rec September 4, 5.5 p.m.) ' LONDqN, September 3. An important contribution to tho naval controversy is Admiral Sir Percy Scott. Ho emphasised that the day of the eight million pound battleship is over. The money so spent, he says, could bo used to fnr better advantage otherwise. The Air Service, he dedar es nwst now be c.onsirleref 1 , to be a striking force, one with far-reaching capabilities. The Government, said Sir Percy, is at present, showing indecision. This precludes n-nv .indicious reduction of nay expenditure. ! The^naval admp'istrfition. he adds, should -nroparc vpnltv practical -cAeni"*., i ones with " careful regard for efficiency and for economy; another View. (Rec September 4. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 3. CriticisiuT /,ord Fisher's letter. ConiniaiicJer Bcllairs. M.P., said he wished to ftbrnt out while a good deal of needloss naval expenditure "hn^ taken place, it originate* 1 , 1 in Lord Fisher's former policies. He adds:— "The situation which demanded a change from, the Atlantic and Mediterranean ontfnok to the North sea outlook lias now finished, mmth c'yancfm lircl tao bgk mfwy hrf MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. LONDON, September 2. It is reported that Mr Walter Long shortly submits- to Cabinet the revised Navy' "Estimates, reducing the present expenditure of £140,000. 000 to £70,000,---000, equivalent to £34,000,000 before the war. There will bo fewer ships than nciore tho war. but all the fighting ships will be of the latest class, completed an 'X the construction of 42 stopped or cancelled. VIEWS OF JELLICOE. PUTS HIS INTERPRETATION UN FISHER. FOR BIGGER FLEET. fPpr 'Press -Association.* CHRTSTCHURCH. September 4. In an interview with Lord Jellicoe, a. reporter made ''referenc" to the cabled sum-marT of Lord 5 • Fisher' sf letter to the \ 'Times" against waste over the I Navy. Lord Jelliooe was asked if lie would care to make aiv v comment on it. "What do you think Fisher means?" asked Lord' 'Jellicoe in turn". "Well " said the reporter "it looks as if he has p-nne over to the pacifists. " Admiral Jellifoe said lie thought otherwise. He Avas of opinion that, underlain <z TiOrd Fisher's .statement, rewarding the scrapping of the present ,B r: tish Nf>v\ tuere wns ar«' idefl th?t '"a bi«rp-'"* and more modern navy should be built. "However." LoM Jellicoe pointed out. "it wa<s difficult to 00-nment on the fabled S"mm n rv of Lord Fiber's letter. He prpft>rrt>A. not to so further into the subject." THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. JELLICOE^iTpLANS. DENIES SCHEME REPORT. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHT'RCH, September. 4. "Can you say. " a reporter asked Lord .Tellicoe. "what truth there is in the. forecasts of your report oh naval matters to the Australian Government, which appeared in this morning's cables?" ' ; "All I can say, " roplie! l . .Lord -Tellipnn. "is that tlieroport, as jrivon in tho cable message, is ouite inoorroef M'-iy I suggest:, before any assumptions «re made on the subWKor the report. t^" f those d°siring to./lo s<i.-l'on v1 vnif until the revert i<J "\ade public — if it is ever made public." • ' . NEW ZEALAND AND NAVY. JELLICOE '8 REPORT. CHRISTCHURCH. . September 3. Asked tonight, regarding the -progress being made, by him in rpspp^t* to his report that i R lacing prepared for the New; Zealand 'Government on naval mat ters, Lord Jollicoo roplioi 1 , — "I am trying to wprk on it, in the intervals of hospitality, and I managed to fret a fairly good day at it yesterday. ' '