The Waipukurau Press. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1933. A BULWARK OF PEACE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 30, 27 January 1933, Page 4

The Waipukurau Press. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1933. A BULWARK OF PEACE

The Frist Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell, in a debate in the British Parliament deplored the decrease in the number of the personnel of the navy. “The worst trouble the navy has to face,” he said, “was that of having too few men in the service.” Sir Bolton referred to what he called the “persistent and pernicious propaganda which has been carried on for the last year. “That propaganda,” he added, “says that the Navy is standing in the way of general disarmament. The charge

is preposterous. This country has given a magnificent lead in disarmament." Comparing the strength of the Navy in 1914 with what it would be in December 1936, under the London Treaty, Sir Bolton said: — British battleships would be reduced from 69 to 15. Cruisers from 108 to 50. Destroyers, from 285 to 117. Submarines, from 74 to 38. Total tonnage, from 2,160,000 to 1,151,000. From this it would be seen that Britain is steadily engaged in rendering herself powerless, either as a defender of her own vast interests, or helping. to preserve peace. Contrasting what Great Britain is doing with the action of other countries, Mr. Bolton pointed out that during the same periods the total tonnage of the United States navy will be increased from , 881,000 to 1,390,000, and Japan's from 522,000 to 720,000. Sir Bolton declared that Britain will make no more one-sided reductions. The “Press" has never had any hesitation in declaring that the cause of pacifism can best be served by maintaining the strength of the British Navy at a mark consistent with the population, territorial, and trade responsibilities of the Empire, it bping obvious that the old two-power standard of superiority was fully justified. Unfortunately, great and disproportionate sacrifices have been made by British Governments in the cause of world disarmament. The fact has not been dhly recognised that the reduction of armed forces should proceed on a reciprocal basis. The British Navy stands for Empire defence and policing the seas in the interests of the world powers generally, not as an offensive agency.