REMARKABLE ARTICLE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12200, 27 July 1925, Page 7

REMARKABLE ARTICLE

“ADMIRALTY’S DAMAGING BLOW” VITAL PRINCIPLES VIOLATED CIVIL CONTROL OF NAVY By Telearaph.-I-rasa Assn.—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 26, 11.6 p.m.) . London, jui y 25. ■ Mr J. L. Garvin, in a remarkable article in the ‘ Observer” dealing with the cruiser decision, declares the Admiralty inflicted the first damaging blow against the administration, and within a measurable period either the Budget or the. Government would come down. ’ Two vital principles had been violated, which must .be reimposed within a year, at any political cost, namely economy first and civil control. The navy’s yoioe should be heard but should not be allowed to dominate. In the /case of future Admiralty ultimatums a strong Prime Minister should instantly accept the whole hoard’s resignations. "We are spending one hundred and fifteen millions upon the navy, armv, and air force,” he said, “and it must reduced. - “In the air .age it still leaves the heart of the Empire more perilously exposed than any period in its history. Germany lost the battle of the ’ Marne because she spent too 'little on her army owing to the cost of thd navy. For’ Britain to attenipt to maintain three great fighting services is to court financial and strategic'disaster. “The Admiralty’s policy would destroy the peace time economic foundations of onr defence and exhaust in advance the sinews of way./ . Until economies are, actually realised, public faith in Mr Baldwin will Remain shaken by the past,week’s events.”