GILBERTIAN NAVY.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2124, 16 May 1922, Page 5

GILBERTIAN NAVY.

CANADA'S NEW FLEET. TRAWLERS TO REPLACE CRUISERS. TO PROTECT FISHERIES. LBy Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Monday, 7.0 p.m.) VANCOUVER, May 14. "Smacking of 'Pinafore, 1 " says a leading Canadian newspaper witli reference to Canada's plans for a fishing protection cruiser service taking the place of Canada's navy, which in turn is practically to be scrapped. The Minister for Naval Defence, speaking in the House of Commons, said that the live new ships which Britain a year ago presented to Canada, will be laid up and the bulk of the crews will be sent home, Britain replacing these with a fishery cruiser and two trawlers, which will be placed both in the Atlantic and the Pacdic. Four officers from the Royal Navy now in the service, will be retained to train a sort of naval militia for two or three weeks of each year. Tt is hoped to train 1500 youths annually, they later being candidates for the fishery protection service if they wish to join. It is expected that next week this outline of the Government's naval plans will be fully discussed in Parliament. In the meantime an explanation on behalf of the Government says: "The action proposed is in view of the general suspension of great expenditures throughout the world and of Canada's financial position and the burdens we have to carry. So wo must face the situation in the light of the declaration by leadingworld statesmen, that there must be a suspension of abnormal expenditure."