ECONOMY V. SAFETY

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12196, 22 July 1925, Page 6

ECONOMY V. SAFETY

BRITISH CABINET DIVIDED ADMIRALTY DEMANDS CRUISERS SEA LORDS MAY RESIGN By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (.Received July 21, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 20. . The Parliamentary correspondent of the “Daily Express” says: “The Admiralty has sprung a surprise on the Government by peremptorily demanding that four cruisers be laid down immediately, as the minimum. The Cabinet meeting was postponed, and Mr Baldwin is using hri strongest efforts to arrange a, compromise. The Sea, Lords in effect told the Government: “If you will not give us these ships you must relieve us of part of ‘our responsibility. Without them we cannot guard the Empire.” “It seemed clear to-night that tho Cabinet did pot intend to give in to the Admiralty ._ Mr Churchill, fighting against the increased expenditure, has all the old Tories''against him, but the young Conservatives support econo-

my* and would even welcome resignations from the Admiralty on the ground ihat real naval economy is impossible under the present regime ” The “Morning Post’s” political correspondent says Mr Churchill is re. ported to be stubborn against laying down more than two cruisers this year, and two or three next year. It is generally believed that if he is sup. ported by Mr Baldwin, the resignations of Mr Bridgeman and the Board pf the Admiralty will follow. "A PLOT IN THE CABINET"

The “Morning Post,” in an editorial headed: "A plot in the Cabinet," says: I'lt is-impossible to suppose that either Mr Churchill or his allies care very much whether five or fifty cruisers, or none, are ordered, but if Mr Bridgeman can be forced to "resign the credit of Mr Baldwin’s Ministry would reoeive a deadly blow, and events' might be so' guided that Mr Baldwin himself would resign, in which case a coalition would again be forced on , the country. - ’ The “Post” expresses' the opinion that Mr Baldwin will uphold Mr Bridgeman, and says:' “The PrimeMinister cannot possibly contemplate a dangerous weakening of the navy.” Mr'W.-O; Bridgeman is First Lord of the Admiralty. The First Sea Lord ia Earl Beatty, and there are three other Sea Lords, and a Civil Ixtrd, the Earl of Stanhope.