BRITISH FLEET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 42, 18 January 1936, Page 7

BRITISH FLEET.

IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. LONDON, Jan. 17.. The Morning Post publishes letters from the Primate, Earl Beatty, Lords Tyrrell, Milne, Winterton and Sir Austen Chamberlain, supporting its campaign for the strengthening of the defence forces. Earl Beatty says: Until the present naval deficiencies arc remedied Britain, with vast commitments, cannot play an adequate part as a first-class Power. We have reached the stage when, owing to lack of cruisers, our trade routes are at the mercy of any potential enemy. Lord Milne says : The Regular Army has been so greatiy reduced that if it had to leave the country it would be little more than an ill-equipped advance guard. The Morning Post, in a second article, declares that the ammunition position was so serious when the Fleet was sent to the Mediterranean in August that if the supply had been expended in a sudden clash the Navy would have been virtually helpless until the deficiencies were made good. It also asserts that the Navy’s stocks of oil fuel are now below needs. , According to the Daily Telegraph, the British naval renovation programme will be designed to bring the Navy to full treaty strength in modern tonnage in all ship categories.