“GRAVE STEP.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 24 November 1925, Page 9

“GRAVE STEP.”

BEATTY ON ROYAL NAVY. THE GOSPEL OF HOPE. LONDON, Nov. 9. Responding to the toast of “The Navy” at the Lord Mayor s banquet, Earl Beatty said: “Only the most serious exigencies can justify tampering with the standard of the fleet. I, therefore, realise that the Government has reached its decision only after the most anxious consideration of the step it has made. “To have the utmost efficiency m the naval staff is more important than ever. Our wartime naval disasters were the direct result of our lack of a sufficient and efficient staff. It would be criminal again to lapse into such a state. We paid dearly for the experience which led to the formation of the naval staff, and nothing should interfere with its development. “Critics who believe that the Admiralty is going beyond its duty, and who assert that it has an undue influence on the national policy are profoundly mistaken. Britain in 1918 possessed 108 cruisers. To-day she has only 59, including those to be constructed before the end of the year. No sane person would consider that excessive. . . .

“The proposal to limit the activities of Pembroke and Rosyth dockyards ” he added, “had been extensively criticised, but the Admiralty was convinced that, so far as the upkeep of the fleet was (concerned, those two dockyards were entirely redundant. It was not concerned with wiietner the Government considered them necessary for political or social reasons. The Admiralty would have been lacking in its duty if it had failed to inform the Government that .the dockyards navally were unnecessary.’ The Foreign Minister, Mr. Austen Chamberlain, proposing “The Ambass a dors,” said they could drink the toast with greater satisfaction than in 9124, because something had been done to promote international amity and goodwill. The toast was not an empty ceremony. Britain’s reception of the Locarno results showed that the country favoured a policy of peace and reconciliation. Apart fpom the written treaties, the world should cherish the Locarno snirit. “My Lord Mayor, thanks for your hospitality,” added Mr. Chamberlain. “I have drunk a loving cup with the German Ambassador, and what he and I have done to-niglit our nations may do to-morrow.” Responding to the toast of His Maiesty’s Ministers,” Mr. Baldwin said: “We are watching with great sympathy the way the various Dominions are struggling with their internal problems. - ■ Wembley’s results cannot yet be realised c ‘The steady decline in the unemployment figures is partly, responsible for the more hopeful feeling prevailing now than for months past with regard to trade prospects.” They Avere standing on the eve or the “day of the dead.” He realised that the'tremendous hopes of the first Armistice Day had evaporated, leavincr only disillusionment. Britain s industrial faith. Avas based rather upon big battalions than upon reason, buthe belie A-ed her troubles could be solved without resort to force. “Too manv speeches mention battleaxes,” said" Mr. BaldAvin. “It is easier to get rich, quick than to get good quick. My faith in the common people enables me Hx) look forward confidently. 5 ’