NAVAL POWER PROBLEMS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1929, Page 9

NAVAL POWER PROBLEMS

ILLEGALISING SUBMARINES GOVERNMENT IN DILEMMA SINGAPORE NOT DECIDED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright, Australian Press Association. United Service. London, July 18. Nothing is causing the Government greater, anxiety than the naval policy. It is now understood Mr. Ramsay MacDonald is going to America in the autumn to confer with President Hoover. The date and place are now being discussed through diplomatic channels. The Daily Chronicle says the fate of the Singapore base is unlikely to be decided before the naval negotiations. The question of dropping submarines is presenting a difficulty of another kind, arising mainly from strategy. Lessor naval powers refuse to sacrifice what they consider economical defence.

In regard to the building programme generally the Government is on the horns of a dilemma. It is anxious to cut down yet it realises to reduce the programme means less work at a time when the Government is most anxious to increase employment. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, stated in the House of Commons yesterday that the Prime Minister intended to make a pronouncement in Parliament upon the whole question of naval armament before the summer recess. Lieutenant-Commander J. JVI. Kenworthy asked what was the position with regard to the British proposal now supported by the American Government, for the illegalising of the submarine by mutual agreement and whether the First Lord was considering a renewal of this proposal at the next conference on naval armaments.

Mr. Alexander replied that the declaration of the British Empire delegation remained the opinion of the Government, but until the other nations acceded to this opinion no agreement was possible. The possibility of reaching an agreement on this matter was constantly borne in mind by the Government, and a re-statement of the British Government’s opinion would bo made at the first available moment.

Answering another question, Mr. Alexander said no decision could yet be communicated regarding the further construction of the battleships’ base at Singapore. A. number of important and difficult matters concerning, other departments had to be considered and no decision could be taken without consultation. He could not say if a decision could be reached before the summer recess.