THREE NEW CRUISERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 10

THREE NEW CRUISERS

The construction of three cruisers for which contracts have been allotted by the British Government is the replacement programme authorised in 1931. Under normal conditions these ships would have been laid down last March, but as a measure of economy building was postponed for six months, the saving, according ' to Sir B. EyresMonsell, First Lord of the Admiralty, being £1,300,000. At a time when disarmament is a catch-cry as well as a national aim, it may be necessary to, emphasise the obvious fact that no matter what reductions in naval strength are agreed to, no matter what further limitations may be seriously proposed, it remains a duty of the first importance to keep the remnant of the Fleet at the highest pitch of efficiency and that involves the replacement of obsolete vessels within the limits of the treaties.'Britain has led the world in naval reductions. No capital ships have been laid down for 10 years. Since the war only 17 cruisers have been built—in the last five years only four—while in regard to destroyers, construction is well below the treaty standard. In 1931-32 warships aggregating 74,000 tons were scrapped and replacement was barely 26,000 tons. It is thus evident that the present overdue programme is needed. Cruisers of this type are a menace only to commerce destroy-

ers. Their function is to patrol the sea routes upon which Britain depends for the bulk of her food supplies and the Dominions for their markets. It has been estimated that British ships,.with cargoes normally on the high sens are worth £70(^0$),000 and they are scattered over 80,000 miles of sea routes. Naval insurance of this wealth is vital, and the light cruisers of today represent it. Without them, quite apart from war risks, the seas would not be safe for commerce. Further, there is the police work necessary for the suppression of the slave trade and gun-running and the innumerable tasks which fall to the lot of the Royal Navy. These waters provided two recently—the suppression of the Samoan disturbances and the succour of earthquake-stricken Napier. No Empire country better understands the importance of cruisers than New Zealand. Small though it is, the building programme will provide some welcome employment for British dockyards and engineering works which have been suffering the full blast of depression.