BRITISH NAVY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 11

BRITISH NAVY

THREE NEW CRUISERS CONTRACTS ALLOCATED DELAYED 1931 PROGRAMME By Telegraph—Press Association--Copyright (Received September 1, G. 5 p.m.) British Wire-less RUGBY, A\ig. 81 The Admiralty announces the allocation of contracts for three cruisers authorised in the 1931 programme, work on which was postponed for six months last March in the interests of economy. The Arethusa is to be built at Chatham dockyard and the Amphion at Portsmouth. The hull and machinery of the third .ship, to he called the Aja.x, are being built under contract by Vickers-Armstrong, Limited, at Barrow-in-Furness. The machinery for the Arethusa is to be provided by the Parsons Marine Turbine Company and the machinery for the Amphion by Messrs. Beardmore and Company.

IMPERIAL UNITY SQUADRON MAY CRUISE VISIT TO THE DOMINIONS LONDON. Aug. 31 The naval correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the despatch of a squadron, including some of the latest ships, for a cruise to India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada is being considered. If it is approved it will be begun in the spring of 1933. There are symptoms of a quickened naval interest in the Dominions, and it is felt that the visit of a representative squadron would sensibly promote the feeling of Imperial unity renewed by the Ottawa Conference. . The last British naval squadron to visit the Dominions was at Auckland from May 10 to 17, 1924. It was commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir F. L. Field, on the flagship Hood. The other ships comprised the battle-cruiser Repulse, under RearAdmiral Sir Hubert Brand, and the cruisers Delhi, Dajiae, Dauntless and Dragon, also the Australian cruiser Adelaide.