ECONOMY IN NAVY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 14

ECONOMY IN NAVY.

POST-WAR REDUCTIONS. MANY UNEMPLOYED ADMIRALS. LONDON, Oct. 15. Ihe Daily News says that sweeping post-war naval reductions, and the further diminuation due to the Washington Convention have resulted in 38 out of 77 admirals on the active list being unemployed, causing the severest congestion in the junior ranks. It is alleged that hundreds of officers with splendid war records, foreseeing a premature closing of their careers, feel that they have been deliberately sacrificed in order that certain admirals may retain their lucrative sinecures. The service organ, Fighting Forces, says:—"Whether it is because every Board of Admiralty has numerous friends, or perhaps powerful enemies, on the flag list, or because a retired admiral costs more than a half-pay admiral, the' Admiralty so far has failed to wield the axe vigorously at the top, where it is especially needed." Under the terms of the Washington Treaty of 1922, affecting the navies of Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the United States, the British Empire retains 22 capital ships, of a total displacement of 580.450 tons. The treaty permitted the construction of two new battleships, the Nelson and Rodney, to replace others becoming obsolescent. These vessels are of 35,000 tons each, and will be completed next year. Otherwise construction is restricted to vessels not exceeding 10,000 tons.