BRITAIN’S NAVY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18248, 5 August 1921, Page 9

BRITAIN’S NAVY.

ESTIMATES SUBMITTED. LONDON, August 3. In the House of Commons, Mr. L. C. Amery, Secretary lor the Colonies, in submitting the naval estimates, including provision for four capital ships, said the latter was not a policy of competition or challenge, but simply the replacement of obsolete ships. A tew hours’ actual fighting in the late war sufficed to revolutionise ideas as to the necessary type of battleship. Other Powers were not slow to make, use of that experience. There were at present under construction whole battle-fleets of a type incomparably more powerful than any afloat at the battle of Jutland. Japan would have eight completed in 1925, and eight more completed by 1928, while the United States would have twelve of these supreme eilgines of war, each over forty-three thousand tons, completed by 1925. The construction of tout ships could not, under the circumstances, be regarded as provocative. Contrariwise, the Admiralty might be open to a charge of allowing the Navy to fall below the standard of other Powers, This was a risk only justified by the general financial situation and the desirability of avoiding any step inviting competition of armaments on the eve of a conference whose object was to avoid competition. (Cheers.) In the matter of design we are not trying to steal a march on the other powers, but were only bringing ourselves up-to ; date with modern developments. The' new ships would be battle-cruisers of the Hood type, but improved in; regard to armaments and protection in the light of war experience. They wolud be equipped with sixteen inchers. The day of the capital submarine or aeroplane had not yet arrived, therefore the capital ship remains the pivot of naval warfare. The ships would be constructed in private yards, as the Government dockyards were not large enough for the Hood size. It was intended as soon as finances permit that the Government dockyards he brought up-to.date. Mr. Asquith referred to the resolution by the Imperial Conference deferring commitment to a naval policy until after the Washington Conference. He gravely doubted if it was necessary or wise to commit ourselves to these new ships. He put their cost at thirty millions, which «.was a seriouis commitment at the moment.