STRONGER FLEET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22469, 13 July 1936, Page 9

STRONGER FLEET

BRITAIN'S NEED SEA COMMUNICATIONS SAFETY ESSENTIAL FIRST LORD'S WARNING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Hecoived July 12, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 11 "Britain has delayed rebuilding her Fleet for so long that now it is essential to have virtually a new Fleet, strong enough to go anywhere and to carry out its duties under any conditions," said Sir Samuel Hoare, First Lord of the Admiralty, in a speech at Southampton. "That the new Fleet must be built on right lines is a matter of life nnd death to us. Every possible effort will be made to avail ourselves of practical experience and scientific discoveries in order to ensure the soundest methods. "Tf Britain's sea communications were cut our supply of raw materials would last our industries three months, which would be more than wo would need, as within six weeks we would be dead from starvation.

"The new and formidable threat of air power has made what once was the most secure island in the world the most vulnerable society in Europe. Hence our determination to build such a Fleet at the earliest possible moment, also equally quickly to reach air parity with the strongest Power within range of our shores. "Out of £23,000,000 for construction under the naval programme so far £20,000,000 have gone in orders to depressed areas."

MINISTRY OF SUPPLY MR. CHURCHILL'S PROPOSAL LONDON, July 10 Mr. Winston Churchill, in a speech last evening, advocated a Ministry of Supply, not reviving all the powers of the former Ministry of Munitions, but providing emergency preparation between peaco and war conditions.