NAVAL POLICY

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 25 July 1929, Page 7

NAVAL POLICY

LATE EDITION

MOVE FOR REDUCTIONS.

PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH U.'S.A

British Official Wireless

Received 12.55 p.m. to-day. RUGBY, July 24. The Rt. Hon. Ramsay MacDonald in Parliament to-day said that- he was now in a position to make a statement on the immediate intentions of the Government regarding the naval building programme. The Government’s general position was that the defence, of the country must be devised with two main considerations in view, firstly, the chances of the defences having to he used, and then the efficiency and economy shown in their magnitude and character. The Government had kept in view a change in policy and the problem of national security as affected by the peace pact, if that pact was to lx? made an effective influence in international relations. To make it, so was the controlling purpose of the Government, and a systematic policy'was being developed which would take a little time to complete and to carry out that intention. Tt is well known that in the midst of the multifarious concerns which the formation of a new Government en-

.tailed, and especially in view of the pressing and complicated nature of its tasks, conversations had been actively carried on between the United States and the new Government for the purpose of opening the way for an agreement on naval matters which, hitherto had defied settlement. By a happy coincidence the new Government’s assumption of office had corresponded with the arrival of the new American Ambassador (General Dawes), who had come hero charged with a mission of preparing the ground for international agreements on the reduction of -naval armaments. Already the whole field of those difficulties with the United States has been surveyed, and the two Governments have made a fresh start in their solution. “We agree upon the principle of parity,” said Mr. MacDonald. “We agreed without in any way departing from a condition of parity that a measure of elasticity can be allowed, so- ars to meet the peace requirements of nations. We arranged that we shall not allow technical points to over-ride great public issues, resulting in our being able to come to- a settlement.” He pro-posed to make this matter hits immediate concern as soon as other business had been disposed of. His visit to the President of the United States was the subject of conversations, so that it might take place when it would be most useful to promote good relations between the two countries, and in particular to advance tile cause of disarmament and peace, which they held in common. It had to fit in with certain international conversations, and October at present .seemed the most likely month. A committee on co-ordination of the three services for the purpose of Cabinet consideration had been set up, and if that combination was not compre--1 tensive enough to meet the requirements of such a policy, the Foreign Office was also to be represented on it. As regarded the 1929-1930’ programme, in any event, -no commitments would have to be entered into before the autumn, and no steps could be taken to proceed with it until the matter received further consideration. The Government recognised that the reduction of the naval building programme must have a direct effect on employment in dockyards, but he was glad to say that as a result of special rearrangements suggested by the Admiralty it was hoped to be able to secure the absorption of a large amount of labour which would otherwise be discharged from the Royal dockyards. Representatives of dockyards labour would at once be consulted. “We are indebted to the Board of Admiralty for the help they rendered, and I desire to state that having expressed their technical view on the minimum armaments which they considered to be necessary, they furnished us with loyal help in achieving the objects with the least possible dislocation and hardship.”

Mr MacDonald added: “I ought to say, to make the statement complete, that 'it "was recognised by aill thei Powers concerned that a preliminary agreement op Anglo-American differences was essential! on naval building. The Powers represented at Washington in 1921-1922 have been informed of the conversations and as soon as the way is Clear, they will be invited' to a preliminary conference, so we may all together try to come to an agreement of a. comprehensive character. The final agreement will be ratified at a place which I hope will, by common consent, be chosen by the United States as a recognition of the splendid part- played by its President in these discussions. Atwill then be reported to the preparatory commission of the League of Nation, as a contribution to its work.” Concluding, the Prime Minister said that it would be the Government’s care and desire to put their energy into a settlement without unnecessary delay. Asked if the minimum requirements as stated by the Board of Admiralty were fully met by the reduced programme which the* Government proposed to carry out, Mr MacDonald said : “I have not the 'least doubt whatever that in the agreement with the United States the minimum requirements put up to us will be adequately covered. Replying to Mr Lloyd George, Mr MiaeoDnald assured him that as the conversations with the United States proceeded, the effect and general result of them would be given to all Powers that would ultimately be concerned .