N.Z. NAVAL DIVISION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 8

N.Z. NAVAL DIVISION.

NO REPLACEMENTS YET. EXETER AND YORK NOT COMING. (Bj- Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. A contradiction of the statement that the newly-lauched cruiser Exeter and her sister ship, the York, are to replace the Dunedin and Diomede in New Zealand waters was issued by the senior naval officer, Captain Fraser, to-day.

It has been reported that the Exeter, the second cruiser of the new "Cathedral" class, which was launched at Devonport dockyard at the end of July, was to come to New Zealand. The Exeter is an 8400-ton cruiser with many features corresponding to those of the new 10,000-ton class which followed the Washington.naval limitation agreement, and her speed is almost as high and her cruising endurance as great as those of the older ships. Also, she carries Sin guns.

"The station at which ships are to serve is never determined until after they are completed," said Captain Fraser. "Therefore there seems little basis -for the report. In addition, the life of the Dunedin and Diomede is another seven years; the question of their replacement seems unlikely to arise for another five years."

Some colour has been given the report by the fact that it was the policy of the Reform Government to replace the Dunedin and Diomede (which are "D" class ships) with heavier craft, or "B" class ships.