STRONGER NAVY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23619, 1 April 1940, Page 9

STRONGER NAVY

DUTCH BAST INDIES COST OF £38,000,000 LEGISLATION PREPARED By Telccrraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 31, T.JiO p.m.) BATAVIA, March UO The Government of the Dutch East Indies has introduced a bill in the People's Council providing for the construction of three 27,000-ton battle cruisers, one tank ship, 12 submarine chasers, two minelayers and one dry dock to handle 40,000ton vessels ; also for the purchase of 12 large flying-boats and large-scale production of mines, and depth charges. The total cost will be about £38,000,000. The first battle cruiser is to be in commission by May, 1944. The bill further provides for the extension and reinforcement of a port on the Sourabayn coast as a naval base at a cost of £5,500,000. The bill later will be submitted to the Dutch Parliament. An emergency session of the People's Council has been convened for April 9 to discuss the bill. The Government has issued a statement to the effect that the general political situation in Europe and East Asia necessitates an increase in the naval defence of the Dutch East Indies and the building up of a Navy which will demand respect for Holland's neutrality and will maintain Holland's rights in the Far East by force if necessary.