CAPITAL SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 21

CAPITAL SHIPS

DOMINIONS' DEFENCES DEPENDENCE ON THE EMPIRE COMMENT BY LORD LOTHIAN [bt tei.egraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The opinion that while the' British Empire' existed it remained ' the best defence for Australia and New Zealand was expressed by the Marquis of Lothian, leader of the British delegation to the recent British Commonwealth Relations Conference 4n Australia, who arrived at Wellington by the Maunganui to-day on a short visit | to New Zealand. The subject of Empire defence had been freely and frankly discussed at the conference, Lord Lothian said. Many thought the present defences inadequate, and a leading Bnjjtish admiral had expressed the opinion that the defences of Australia and New Zealand should bo strengthened by having at least one capital ship in addition to the present cruisers. In the event of attack at the present time the cruisers would have to take to port if heavier enemy ships were in the vicinity. Lord Lothian said he regarded Singapore, which was now heavily fortifiea, as a bastion of defence. Discussing the air defence of London, Lord Lothian said that, iti his opinion, the present plan of defence by means of balloons would prove effective by driving enemy aeroplanes higher, so that travelling at 250 miles nil hour they would not oe able to hit specific objects, such as railways and power stations.' If anti-aircraft guns could inflict more than 5 per cent of casualties on invading aircraft, raids would cease as being not worth while. After a short visit to New Zealand .Lord Lothian will return to. Sydney on October 14. and from there fiv back to England. During his stay in the Dominion he intends to interest himself particularly in the dairying industry. In Australia he flew ?600 miles and motored 1200 miles, visiting six capitals in three weeks.