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Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1937, Page 4

The world of armaments still was traversing the old circle of improved naval defences against improved pern* frating qualities of bombs and shells, said Major R. R. Seward, an official of J. G. Thornyoroft, Limited, London, who is on his way to Canada and England. There had been a good deal said about Britain’s huge defence and armaments bills, he remarked, hut actually she was making up leeway lost in the last five years. Britain still pinned her faith to the heavilyarmoured battle-cruiser, in spite ol all that was claimed for aircraft in an offensive, for it was axiomatic that as soon as experts in explosives developed a new and more penetrating typo of aerial bomb, experts in the manufacture 'ot protective material for naval vessels developed .metal plates through which the bomb could not penetrate. That was the position as it stood, and the point seemed to have been readied when heavy fighting ships were invulnerable to aircraft attacks. British shipyards and allied industries were seriously affected a few months ago by a shortage ol steel, due in a great measure to the war in Spain, since a. great deal ol mateiial used in the manufacture ol steel had previously been obtained Irom that country, and to the* sudden aecolci.i----t-jon in demand lor ships, ol varying types and for explosives. The situation was gradually righting itself, however, although order books of various companies were so lull they could not fulfil another order lor some considerable time.