NAVAL POLICY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10417, 22 March 1912, Page 1

NAVAL POLICY.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

DOMINIONS AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE. United Press Association —By Electria Telegraph—Copyright, i LONDON, March 21. ■ Mr Lambert, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, ill the Navy debate, said that the accusation of needless delay in the completion of the Australian and New Zealand ships was baseless. Th© delay was due to an endeavour to secure the best armour.

Mr Churchill, alluding to Imperial defence, said that it was not for the Admiralty to initiate proposals to the dominions. It would cordially grant expert assistance if sought, and frankly inform them of all the facts connected . with naval policy. Referring to the ' question of associating dominion Ministers with Imperial defence, he declared that consultation on the subject would soon be less encumbered with difficulties. The Defence Committee had offered the most flexible means of estab- * lishing the real intimacy which ought to exist between the responsible leaders of the great dominions and those concerned in the Empire's defence here. _Mr Churchill, replying to a suggestion that there was a hope of reducing the Navy, pointed out that Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman's prolonged restraint in Navy-building had not produced a slackening, but a doubling of German construction. Negotiations had been progressing for some time for the exchange of naval information. Britain was always ready to state what ships she was building and when they would be completed, providing Germany reciprocated.