EFFECT OF NAVAL TREATY

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1930, Page 9

EFFECT OF NAVAL TREATY

CANCELLATION OF BUILDING.

British Wireless. Rugby, April 30. Mr. A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, stated in the House of Commons that the effect of the London Naval Treaty in regard to cruisers’ strength was as follows: — Great Britain would not construct the two 10,600 ton cruisers with Sin guns of the 1028 programme and the one 10,000 ton cruiser with Bin guns of the 1929 programme, The United States, which entered the conference with the projected programme of 23 Sin. gun 10,000 tons cruisers, would actually not complete more than 15 of this type before 1936, retaining only the option to have three more under construction, not to be completed before 1936, 1937 and 1938 respectively. Japan would remain at her present figure of 12 Sin. gun 10,0'00 cruisers and would not embark on fresh construction as previously anticipated. As regarded 6in gun cruisers the treaty allowed, generally speaking, only for replacements, except that for the United States special provision was made for carrying out the long-post-poned cruiser construction. Mr. . Alexander said the Government intended to take into immediate consideration the whole position regarding the Singapore naval base and that it must be done in consultation with the Dominions.