NO NEW SHIPS FOR NAVY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16986, 9 March 1923, Page 8

NO NEW SHIPS FOR NAVY.

REDUCED ESTIMATES. CRecatvecl Mirch 9, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 8. Tbe Navy estimates total £«1 .000.000 oonupered with £69.000,000 for 1922-23, and £92,000,000 for 1921-22, a reduction of 83 pea* cent over two years. Lieutenant-Colonel L. C. Amery’s Ttery great extent administrative «onomias were effected by tlie reduction of but^the most indispensable new re- i possible by the general easing off of nave! competition which, it is hoped, will result from the Washington agreement. We do not propose to lav down any .new ships in 1923-24, but a small sum .is being taken for preparatory work on submarines for construction in 1924-25. li Tlie strengthepjjig of the fleet in Mediterranean waters is temporariJy neoessitated hv the near Eastern crisis and it may become desirable as a permanent measure. The political value of the naval forces employed in the Mediterranean, during the past year, and during the protracted Turkish played a considerable part in the mainteance of peace. ** It- is no longer possible to dock the latest ships in far Eastern waters. Any extension of the TTong dock is precluded by the terms of the Washington'agreement. accordingly it Ims been decided to proceed gradually with the development, of the naval base at. Singapore."