EMPIRE’S SAFETY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 6

EMPIRE’S SAFETY

Defence Estimates TOTAL OF £7,811,000 CHIEFLY FOR THE NAVY By Telegraph—Copyright—Press - Assn, LONDON, February 25. The House of Commons discussea and finally passed the supplementary Defence Service Estimates of £4,850,000 for the Navy,- £1,350,000 for the Army; and £1,611,000 for the Air. Force.

Lord Stanley said they included provision for beginning the construction of seven destroyers, to be known as the Tribal Class. TEe Admiralty had watched with concern the construction of large foreign destroyers. France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States to-day had destroyers ranging from 1600 tons to over 2000 tons, the latter approaching the cruiser class. The Government had decided to amend its plans and build destroyers of 1850 tons instead of the intended repeat order of the 1934 type, namely 1350 tons. The increase conformed to the London Naval Treaty. A trial order had also been placed, said Lord Stanley, for six- motor torpedo boats. In order to keep abreast of modern developments a considerable number of new works had been started, including an anti-aircraft gunnery training establishment at Portsmouth. The other expenses arose from the presence of the fleet in the Mediterranean, including the purchase of 20 trawlers.

Sir W. Alexander, moving a reduction of the vote, said that the Estimates brought the naval provision for the-year.to £65,000.600. which was the largest naval expenditure for 14 years. “We are beginning an armaments race from to-night,” he said. “Il represents progress towards national bankruptcy.’’ Mr Winston Churchill described Sir W. Alexander’s speech as deplorable. The British fleet in the Mediterranean had been in a condition ‘approximating “strained relations” with Italy for months. Labourites in the previous debate bad strenuously urged sanctions, yet they were opposing expenditure necessary for putting the fleet in a i condition of preparedness. The reduction was negatived by 285 votes to 95 and the Estimates approved. The supplementary Army and .Air Force Estimates were also approved.