NAVY OF BRITAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19893, 22 March 1939, Page 5

NAVY OF BRITAIN

EMPIRE SEA POWER PART OP DOMINIONS PRAISR IN COMMONS GE R MAN TR EA T V DOIT P.TED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Rccd. Mar. 22, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 21. Speaking during the debate in the House of Commons on the navy estimates, Mr. A. V. Alexander (Lab., Hillsborough) said it would be ungrateful if a member of the House of Commons did not praise the naval action of the Dominions. Australia had made great efforts, in proportion to her population, to assist in the naval defence of her part of the British commonwealth. New Zealand's increased expenditure was also important. It might be a wise precaution to arrange for docking facilities in Australia and South Africa for the largest warships. He was sure that the Dominions would be willing to assist. "I would feel happier if Canada would approximate the Australian action," said Mr. Alexander. Admiral Sir Roger Keyes (Con., North Portsmouth) expressed the

opinion that the German naval treaty was not worth the paper it was written on. Mr. G. H. Shakespeare, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, contended that the treaty had a stabilising effect. The House agreed to the estimates.