NAVAL MATTERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 267, 7 August 1919, Page 4

NAVAL MATTERS

STATEMENT BYJtffi. MASSEY. By Telegranh.—Prcsn Association. Auckland, August 6. Referring to naval matters to-day, the Prime Minister pointed out Zealand is at the present time paying a subsidy of ,£IOO,OOO a year to tho British Navy, but that in future this would go towards tho upkeep of a _ cruiser. It was also arranged that wo should have a vessel for training purposes to replace the Amokura, and Captain Hoo« per, of that vessel, is now on his way Home to bring her out. This new training ship will probably bo a sloop-of war of between 2500 and 3000 tons. "Wo we.ro given the choice of three types of I ship for the purpose," said Mr. Massey, the first being a. vessel of the Talbot class which would be particularly suitable--for training purposes. The Defence Department decided, however, that she would provo too big and costly, as s,hc is a boa. carrying' twelve-Gin. guns. I hero .was a vessel of the Andromaclio type, ana it is between her typo and the sloop already mentioned that tho choice will lay. It will, in all probability, be the sloop. Questioned on the subject of a gitt of submarines to New Zealand, the Prime Minister said that if Parliament decided that it would like to havo a subinarmo or two submarines, then wo could have thorn, although no official offer had_ been 'made. He went. on to say that the Admiralty had practically decided to station several light cruisers in the neighbourhood of New Zealand as ft su&of tho China fleet, and these vessels would no doubt make .New Zealand their headquarters. Tho Prime Minister had iiotluns to saj on the subject of a naval station m New Zealand.