LORD BRASSEY ON THE NAVY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1579, 4 March 1887, Page 3

LORD BRASSEY ON THE NAVY.

The first number of Lord Brassey's " Naval Annual" has just been published. Since 1885 England has laid down two ironclads of the first class and two of the second, with an aggregate tonnage of 33,880 tons; Italy has laid down three additional ironclads of the first class, with an aggregate tonnage of 39 753 ; Russia has laid down two additional ironclads of the first class and one of the sec md, with an aggregate tonnage of 25,822. While £22,978,992 has been spent by the French on ships and machinery for their navy during the twecty-two years from 1864 to 1885, England has spent £34,371,294 Lord Brassey adds" If we look U the magnitude of the interests at stake, to the value of our shipping and our seaborne trade, to the extent of our Colonial Empire, to the dispersion of our naval forces in time of war, whilst an enemy may concentrate on a single point of attack ; and if, lastly we look to the deoendence of our population upon imported food, it is impossible to affirm that any naval force which we could maintain in peace would be adequate to our requirements in war. But if we examine the question from another point of view—if we compare the amount which Parliament is now asked to place at the disposal of the Admiralty with the means available elsewhere—the estimate, on the scale which we have reached within the last two years, should in the course of time be sufficient under good administration to secure a commanding position." As regards the future, he says:u The British public will not accept a policy of retrenchment in naval matters. The best, as it is in the end the most economical, course is to keep well ahead of other Powers. The only form of economy which is popular in this country is that which consists in strenuous efforts to give the most effective application to the expenditure of money ; and if other Powers will take the initiative, we shall bo ready to follow in a policy of retrenchment."