BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

. THE NAVAL ESTIMATES. ( MR. WLFOUR D» t REPLY. GREAT OUTPUT OF WARSHIPS. London, March 7. Mr. Balfour, in the House of Commons, said that the Admiralty was not carrying out a policy different from that of its predecessors. Since the war began *,the personnel of the navy had been doubled and tonnage increased hy over one million tons, while the strength of the air division was tenfold. The first problem was to maintain the Grand Fleet at an adequate superiority over j every other force that could be brought against it. The navy and expeditionary force had achieved everything that could be expected of them and all they professed. While no one could predict the future relative value of Zeppelins and aeroplanes, the Government was developing airships in. order to assist the fleet in scouting, but It was difficult to house Sem. Since the outbreak of hostilities e production of warships had been unprecedented. MR. CHURCHILL ROASTED. AN UNFORTUNATE SPEECH. Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. London, March 8. . Mr. Balfour said that Mr. Churchill's tpeech was unfortunate in form and Mrintenc*, and was calculated to arouse doubts, misgivings, and suspicion's. There had not been a breach in continuance between the last and present Boards, or alacknessin pressing the conftmction speed of ships, which compared most favorably with what had (Men done by any other country. The Admiralty was doing its utmost to alleviate the shortage of labor. The delay in the cbmpletion of dreadnoughts ! was due to. the late Board making monitors, and using for them guns and mountinj that were designed for capital ships. j FLEET MORE POWERFUL, tfj/was not pessimistic r<|rarding the strength, of the Grand Fleet, which was more powerful than when Mr. Churchill resigned,, and would be more powerful still. A contest between two adders of the same office was neither decorous nor profitable. , Let us dismiss vain and •*mpty. fears, for the navy is far stronger than ever it has been. MR. CHURCHILL'S VOLTE FACE. Mr. Balfour declared that he would not be impeded by a single person. He had .listened -to -Mr. Churchill's suggestion about Lord Fisher with profound stupefaction. Mr. Churchill had never made the smallest concealment, in public or private, as to what he thought of Iprd Fisher, and everybody's impression wa» that Mr. Churchill thought Lord Fisher singularly unlike a saviour of his country. Now Mr. Churchill urged the return of the distinguished sailor from whom he said, half a year ago, he could get 90 clear guidance or firm support. He could not. follow the workings of Mr, Churchill's mind. ADMIRAL JACKSON'S WORK, air. Balfour paid a tribute to Admiral Jackson's work, and he said he should regard himself as contemptible if he yielded to a demand of this kind, made in such' a way. The country had been fortunate in getting Admiral jUckson's . guidance and support. "AMAZING EFFRONTERY." )£R. CHURCHILL'S SUGGESTION. London, March S. Newspapers receive the suggestion of Lord Fisher's recall to the Admrialty with marked coldness, though anxious that this genius should be utilised to the full The Morning Post considers the suggestion one of amazing effrontery, in view of the joint responsibility of Lord Fisher and Mr. Churchill for the Dardanelles operations. Mr. Churchill returns to the front tovetrow. A REPUDIATION. deceived March 9, 8.15 p.m. London, March 9. Mr. Hughes repudiates the Times' statement that lie is an ambassador for Cauda: and New Zealand. Mr. Hughes lias cabled his denial tg Mr. Mw«e„v and % teggfr '