SUPREMACY OF THE SEAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13466, 19 April 1907, Page 5

SUPREMACY OF THE SEAS.

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS

BATTLESHIPS TO BE PRE-

FERRED.

Dv Telegraph Pre** Association.—

Received April 13. 11.15 p.m.)

London*, April 18. Lord Brassey, in the House of Lords yesterday, called attention to the shipbuilding programme, and said the Dreadnoughts must be few, while their size was no security against certain risks. The latest cruisers were almost as large and as costly as battleships. In linc-of-battle their speed would give no advantage, while in fighting power they would be inferior to .the battleships to which they would be opposed. He urged the Admiralty to concentrate its resources as far as possible on battleships. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Lord Tweedmouth) said: 'The Admiralty's policy is founded on three grounds accepted by every party. First, we must keep command of the sea, regardless of cost ; second, we now have the unquestioned command of the sea ; third, the burden is very heavy, owing to the keen competition of the various naval Powers.

Ho added: "We go !o The Hague Convention absolutely unpledged, or, in other words, if other Powers extend, their programmes we shall extend ours in order to keep our relative position."

Ho agreed that the Admiralty should concentrate its efforts on battleships.

Lord Cawdor (First Lord of the Admiralty in Mr. Balfour's Government) expressed extreme, pleasure at the statement of Lord Tweed mouth. The subject, then dropped.