The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. “Luceo Non Uro.” TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1935. THE NAVY’S DUTY

Southland Times, Issue 25314, 18 June 1935, Page 6

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. “Luceo Non Uro.” TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1935. THE NAVY’S DUTY

For some time the effort to impress the public with the importance of aerial defence has encouraged the view that Britain’s naval forces are of less value than formerly as protection, but though the increase of the Air Force’s efficiency, and the growth of the fighting strength of the aeroplane has undoubtedly been great, it is unwise to allow the war in the air to eclipse all other- considerations. Tests carried out by the naval Powers have shown that the aeroplane can score hits on stationary and slow-moving vessels, but the naval experts have shown that the bombing capacity of the aviators is not yet great enough to eliminate the warships as a fighting unit. Aeroplanes do not operate with bombs that are as powerful as the largest shells used by naval guns, and the guns firing at high angles, have an offensive power in excess of the bombs from the air. They may not strike the decks of warships at a square angle, but the impact of shells fired from long ranges is not at an acute angle, so that the force with which these missiles of destruction strike is practically as great. Against this high plunging fire the deck protection has been sufficient to save the vessels, and it is assumed by the naval experts that the bombs from, the air will not be as effective in disruptive value. At the same time the accuracy of the aeroplane, when operating against ships capable of attacking them, Will not be as high as it is in peace-time operations when the targets are supine. During the last war submarines carrying guns were able to drive off aeroplanes and the modern warship is well equipped to force the aeroplane to keep at a fcespectable height. Shooting from a moving platform at a moving target is difficult, and it is expected, therefore, that in actual warfare the battleship will be able to look after itself against enemies attacking from the air. Far more dangerous are the potentialities of the new torpedo said to have been evolved in Germany. Up to the present the prime weakness of the torpedo has been that it must disclose itself shortly after it begins to move through the water, and warships have sufficient time to manoeuvre out of the way. This was done time after time, lookouts discovering the torpedo while it was several minutes away. If the Germans have produced a tor-

pedo which does not reveal its course the surface ships will not be able to avoid them, and the. danger of the submarine as a weapon for use against warships will be greatly increased. Of course, the protective "blister” supplies a barrier against the torpedo and this will probably be improved. The point that the naval experts are driving home, however, is that nothing yet achieved by the aeroplane has indicated the falling off of the warship as the vital factor in defence, and the battleship is still the central factor of the first line. Britain will still require to protect the trade routes and the Navy will be compelled to undertake that duty in addition to guarding her coasts against invasion or raids. Aeroplanes cannot maintain a blockade and the influence of sea-power must still be outstanding. In the Great War it was sea-power which was the determining factor, and the British Government still recognizes that it must keep the Navy at a strength which will enable it to discharge its threefold duty of guardian of the trade routes, protector of her coasts and the instrument of blockade. It will be seen, then, that while there is urgent need for the development of the Royal Air Force, the maintenance of the British Navy is of vital concern to the Empire, and the discussions with Germany concerning naval ratios are as important as the negotiations of air pacts. In the dominions, too, the Navy remains a first consideration, because the sealanes are essential to the maintenance of trade, and New Zealand, in the organization of Imperial defence, must give serious attention to the naval side. It may appear that this country is not interested in naval questions, but if we cannot export our goods, if we cannot send foodstuffs to the Old Country in time of war our help will be of small value. At the same time the existence of an adequate Navy is the best assurance we can have that no enemy will be able to come close enough to attack these shores with aeroplanes. The defence of New Zealand will be made first at a considerable distance, and through the efficiency of the British Navy, so that the measures taken to afford the naval forces an adequate base are of immediate concern to everyone in this country.