THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14981, 29 April 1909, Page 7

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

DRY-DOCKS FOR DREADNOUGHTS. A DISQUIETING ADMISSION. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, April 27. Mi* R. M'Kenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, in reply to questions in the House of Commons, admitted that there was not a single dry-dock on tho East Coast of Britain where a Dreadnought could enter if drawing more water than usual owing to some watertight compartments being flooded, though there were five docks in Germany with this capacity. He added that the Government was considering the construction of floating-docks on the East Coast. Mr M'Kenna was heckled on the subject of the absence of first-class battleships on the China and Australian stations. Ho said that the Admiralty wao expediting building. The Neptune would be launched in August instead of in October, and this would enable the keel of her successor to be laid early in November. LONDON, April 28. Mr Asquith's Committee examined Mr M'Kenna, Admiral Sir John Fisher and Lord Charles Beresford. Lord Charles will be permitted to call what witnesses he chooses, except commanders, and they will be guaranteed that their evidence will bo no bar to promotion.