BRITISH DEFENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 25 March 1922, Page 8

BRITISH DEFENCE.

THg NAVY VOTIE

VALUE OF AIRCRAFT AND SUBMARINES.

BY CABLE—PSESS AgSOGIATION-COFYBIGHt Received March 25, 9.20 a.m. i LONDON, March 24, I In the House of CommoMs on ihe' Navy vote Admiral Suiter declared that there was no justification for the large estimates. If we had had a Zeppelin or torpedo aircraft on the mornin^ after the Jutland battle we would have «ot every enemy ship. Thus, owing to our Admiralty's stupidity, we were deSved of the full fruits of our victory > questioned the wisdom of building battleships. They could leave the *sfety5 fety,of t]?e Empire in the hands of the^ submarines and airmen, with light cruisers and destroyers. Mr Amery agreed as to the valuo of aircraft, but contended that, even in peace time, Britain could not run the W- S \ x. k^S weaker than any Power with Vhom she might come to be at war. It was necessary not to be hepe- ! lessly inferior in the type of vessel i which was still the kernel and pivot of naval battle? The navy they were keeping m active commission was the smallest they could afford to maintain from the viewpoint of the national position and trade.

The vote was passed