BRITAIN’S SEA POWER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18514, 27 March 1922, Page 5

BRITAIN’S SEA POWER.

DISCUSSION ON NAVY VOTE. CAPITAL SHIPS ESSENTIAL. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 24. In the House of Commons, in discussing the Navy vote, Rear-Admiral Sueter declared that there was no justification for the Estimates. If we had had Zeppelins or torpedo aircraft on the morning after the Jutland battle, we should have got every enemy eh ip. Thus, owing to our Admiralty’s stupidity, we were deprived of the full fruits of victory. He questioned the wisdom of building battleships. They could leave the safety of the Empire in the hands of submarines and airmen, with light cruisers and destroyers. Colonel Amery agreed as to the value of aircraft, but he contended that, even in peace time, Great Britain could not run the risk of being weaker than any Power with whom she might be at war. It was necessary not to be hopelessly inferior in the typo of vessel which was still the kernel and pivot of naval warfare. The Navy which they were keeping in active commission was the smallest they could afford to maintain from the viewpoint of the national position and trade. The vote was passed.—A. and N.Z. Cable.