TRADE ROUTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16425, 8 May 1924, Page 2

TRADE ROUTES

SAFEGUARDING THE SEAWAY

ANOTHER CRUISER NECESSARY

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this clay

Admiral Field, in an interview prior to his departure, made a further reference to his speech at the Parliamentary luncheon, on 28th April. He said: that his remarks at the Government luncheon ', Were intended to convey the opinion that as the Home Government had decided not to- proceed with the Singapore base at present, it was no use New Zenlang voting money for that purpose, but in the meantime be had endeavored to emphasise the importance of making provision for the protection of the trade routes of these waters by adding a second cruiser to the New Zea'iand division of the Royal Navy as soon as possible, . 'thereby 'promoting and enhancing efficiency by the factor of competition, M and .by the possibility of exchanging ships with the Imperial Navy. He suggested ultimately arriving at the maintenance of a squadron®of three cruisers, as this was the least number necessary fov the .adequate protection of trade routes in lime of trouble. The idea in general was that each Dominion should /keep up a sufficient force to guard its tr,'ide thereby ensuring a con- " tinuance of commerce in the face of the commerce destroyers of the enemy. One part of the Empire would link with another so as to safeguard the main seaways trade. [capital ships. , • not superseded by submarines or aeroplanes. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Admiral Field continued: "I have been asked by various people to remark on the numerous suggestions made,, particularly in, the press, that the capital ij ship has been, or shortly will be, superseded by submarines and aeroplanes, and that therefore it is waste of money to eontinucHu build capital ships I need not sayi I disagree with this view. If a naval power decides to maintain submarines only the opposing power could very easily, and at small expense, construct a number of high-speed shallow / draught anti-submarine vessels, fitted with the latest detecting apparatus and Special offensive weapons against submarines, in this way it could practically limit the operations of the submarine to a. comparatively innocuous range. TJie power which put its trust / in submarines would then lie compelled ■to adopt a type of surface vessel larger and with greater offensive powers than its opponent possessed. Thus the process would continue until, they again arrived at the capital ship."' Regarding aeroplanes .he pointed out that these were mainly effective in narrow seas, which left all other trade routes totally unprotected from attack bv commerce destroying cruisers.