STEADY GROWTH OF INDIAN NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 226, 23 September 1940, Page 8

STEADY GROWTH OF INDIAN NAVY.

200 P.C. STRONGER. Australian Shipyards Assist In Production. British Official Wireless. (Reed. 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 22. In consequence of the steady growth of India's naval strength, Vice-Admiral H. FitzHerbert, whose term of appointment as Flag Officer Commanding the Royal Indian Navy has recently been extended another year from November next, has under his command the most powerful naval force ever to keep guard in India's own waters. Indian shipyards are now working at the full capacity of the building slips available on the initial scheme of expansion. Australian shipyards are helping with larger local naval defence craft. New modern sloops from Britain will shortly further increase the offensive strength of the Indian naval forces. Following the entry of Italy into the war, the personnel of the Indian Navy, which has already been expanded 200 per cent since September, 1939, is to be expanded still further. The security of the Red Sea route from India to the Middle East is strikingly illustrated by the fact that no fewer than 71 troop and military supply ships proceeded without a single casualty from Indian ports to their destination between September 1, 1939, and August I, 1940.

Xine hundred and forty-four special military trains were rim to and from Indian ports in the first year of the war, and among the units which journeyed safely overseas on active service is the famous Bikaner Camel Corps. Conference of Suppliers. In India the conference of controllers of supplies are at present investigating the manufacture in India itself of many ordnance stores hitherto imported. A scheme for the expansion of clothing production is being implemented, and production is steadily rising. A report received on germination tests of flax seeds is considered satisfactory, and it has been decided to proceed with a scheme for the cultivation of flax. Britain has been informed that India can, after meeting her present steel demand* from the Middle East, Iraq, Kenya and Uganda, provide a balance of light steel products of 10,000 tons monthly, and also a further 10,000 tons of scrap monthly fpr the next 12 months. Arrangements have been completed to supply 300,000 tons of pig and foundry iron to Britain at the rate of 50,000 tons a month.