WORLD’S NAVAL YARDS

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 8 January 1930, Page 9

WORLD’S NAVAL YARDS

BRITAIN’S LEADING POSITION BUILDING FOR OTHER POWERS PROPORTION DECLINING. United Press Association—By Electric Telegn pli Copyright.) Received 1.45 p.m. to-day. LONDON, Jan. 7. The approach of the- disarmament conference adds interest to Brassey s Naval Annual, which is- .published: today. A naval contributor says: “Nothing should be done to lessen Great Britain’s private shipbuiding resources by an over-drastic dispersal of skilled labour. At present less than one cruiser per year is being constructed bore British submarine strength will b e reduced from 50 vessels to 30 by 1932.” A writer on foreign navies cites theremarkable construction progressing within the limits of exchequers of everv maritime nation, the. small ones ordering abroad if they cannot build themselves. He states: “Submarines are popular with the smaller nations, who recognise their value m defying surface ship attacks. None of the lesser Powers not represented at the conference- are bound by its possible aon-eements. Britain once led the uciiu in building foreign warships ’but her largest orders- to-day are flotillla leadl- - and submarines, whereas Italy i? bidding two 6000-ton cruisers and .numerous small craft for foreigners aiid France is securing orders foi foreign submarines.”