BRITAIN'S NAVY

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14716, 4 August 1921, Page 5

BRITAIN'S NAVY

THE BUJLDiNG PROGRAMME. REPLACING OBSOLETE SHIPS. MR ASQUITH'S DOUBTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) : Received August 4, 11.5 a.m. : LONDON, August 3. Colonel L. C. M. S. Amery, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in the House of Commons, in submitting the naval estimates, iucluding provision for four capital ships, said the latter was not a policy of competition or challenge, but simply the replacement of obsolete ships. A few hours' actual f'ghting in the late war had sufficed to revolutionise ideas as to the necessary type of battleship, and 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 by 1925, and eight more completed by 1925; while the United States would have twelve of these supreme engines of war each over •'(3.000 tons, completed by 1925. The construction of four ships could not, under the circumstances, be regarded as provocative On the contrary, the Admiralty might be open to the charge of allowing the navy to fall below the standard of other powers. This was a risk only jusified by the general financial situation, and the desirability of avoiding any step inviting competition in armaments un the eve of a conference whose object was to avoid competition (cheers). In the matter of design, we were not trying to steal a march on other powers, but were onlv 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 experiences. They will be equipped with ICin guns. The day of the capital submarine or aeroplane had not vet arrived; therefore the capital ship'remains the pivot of naval war-, fore The shins will he constructed ir private vards, as the Government dockyard- arc not large enough for the Hood size. It was intended, as soon as finances permit, t.hnt iho Government dockyards be brought up-to-date. „ , Air Ascraith referred to the resolution by the Imperial Conference, deferring the commitment of the naval policv until after the result of Washington Conference was known. Ho g-ravelv doubled if it was necessary or' wise to commit ourselves to these new ships. He pnt their cost at £SO.000,000 which was a serious eominitui,Til. :ii the moment.