BRITAIN'S NAVAL BILL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1497, 20 July 1912, Page 5

BRITAIN'S NAVAL BILL.

ADDITION OF ANOTHER MILLION. B7 Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyrieat (R«o: July 19, 11.35 p.m.) London, July 19. The Supplementary Naval Estimates have been introduced, and total .£990,000, of which ,£850,000 is for shipbuilding and armaments.' Au additional 1500 men will also bo provided. '■■■ "The Times" pronounces the amounts quite adequate. .

WHAT MR. CHURCHILL SAID. In his statement explanatory of tho Navy Estimates for the year, Mr. Churchill said: These Estimates have been framed on tho assumption that the existing programmes of other naval Powers will not bo increased. In the event of such increases, it lyill be necessary to present supplementary Estimates , loolihi for men and money. Mr. Churchill outlined the direction which , such Estimates would take. For each additional Dreadnought laid down by J3er.raany.. : .the.. British Admiralty would construct two ships of the samo olass. So that as tho first result f>ix additional Dreadnoughts must be laid down for the Royal Navy in the next six years. , It will further bo necessary to take (steps to strengthen the British Homo Fleet m commission with full crews. At present that fleet nominally consists of 25 battleships, but, only 20 of the 25 were present at the King's inspection at Weymouth last week, because the Home Fleet was taken- at an average moment. In Ms speech introducing the Navy Estimates, Mr.. Churchill pointed out that.it was a matter of vital necessity "to have a sufficient margin to meet at our' average moment tho naval foTce of an attacking Power at their selected moment" ; anil this involves a larger Home Fleet in permanent commission with full craves than 25 battleships. In view of a possible naval emergency, Mr. Lloyd-George in his Budget this year held back 6J millions of surplus, to meet what ho described aa ''very serious contingencies." The original Naval Estimates this year totalled to increase of £307,100 over the preceding year.