CRUISER STRENGTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22792, 28 July 1937, Page 14

CRUISER STRENGTH

BRITAIN BELOW STANDARD REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS [iJY TKT.ECIt.U'H —VRKSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Tlio need that the British Navy has for adequate cruiser strength was stressed by Captain It. D. Oliver, K.N., in an address to members of the Wellington branch of the Navy League. The essential units of a navy, he said, wore cruisers, which controlled the- trade routes. Their standard of strength and speed were determined only by the possible strength and speed which could be given to armed merchantmen. The number of cruisers at I)resent in the British Navy was far below its requirements. The new Naval Treaty, however, ceased to limit the number of ships in the fleet, and attempted only to limit their size. At last the British Navy was free to build the essential units of a fleet determined only by the necessities of defence.

Wing-Commander the Hon. H. A. Cochrane, who also gave an address, said that an efficient air force was necessary ill New Zealand for work in conjunction with the Navy. There was no difficulty in securing the equipment necessary to build up an efficient air forco in Now Zealand, and the only thing required was the necessary personnel. Ho was satisfied that a suitable typo of person was available in New Zealand.