NAVAL EXPENDITURE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 February 1926, Page 7

NAVAL EXPENDITURE

REDUCTION NOT WANTED

ADMIRALTY GETS READY TO FIGHT. LONDON, Feb. 1. The naval correspondent of the Daily News says that the- Admiralty’s comment on the Colwyu Economy Committee’s supposed recommendation, that the naval expenditure be reduced by £11,000,000, is reported to be unprintable. Its mildest criticism is summarised in the words- “fantastic,” “preposterous,” “impossible.” The Admiralty is mobilising the whole of its forces to resist the most formidable “economy attack” since the war. Earl Beatty, the First Sea Lord, declared that economies were impossible with regard to construction. At present five cruisers are being built, and four will be laid down before March 31, and three more during the year, making, with the two Australian cruisers being built on the Clyde, 14 vessels aggregating 138,000 tons.' and equalling in combined tonnage the 15 cruisers which Japan. America, France and Italy are building. It is believed, however, that the committee aims at reducing the Admiralty staff, the dockyards and the size and personnel of the active fleet —which is possible without endangering defence. The Admiralty’s staff in 1914 numbered 4366, and cost £481,000 a year. At present it numbers and costs £1,250,000 a year, although the navy’s personnel is 50,000 le«s and the ships in commission in 1914 were 5666. compared with 349 to-day.