THE BRITISH NAVY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 17, 14 October 1921, Page 7

THE BRITISH NAVY

ADMIRALTY WELCOMES MR. MASSEY’S SPEECH IMPORTANCE OF AIR DEVELOPMENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. October 14, 0.10 a.m.) London, October 12. Tho Admiralty welcomes Mr. Massey’s speech, and points out that tho Navy now is, and always has been, an Empire Navy. It is now for Australia and New Zealand to decide the amount and the manner of their contributions. It must not bo forgotten meantime that air development is an important part of naval strategy.—United Service. THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET RUMOURED PROPOSAL TO SCRAP IT AN OFFICIAL DENIAL. Sydney, October 13. The "Horald” states that it is proposed to scrap the local navy, utilising tho money saved in tho construction of docks and bases as part of the scheme to police the South Pacific with a strong British fleet, which will bo based on Singapore. It is further stated that the Australian vessels are obsolete, and that it is beyond tho Australian financial resources to provide an efficient fleet. — Press Assn. Melbourne, October 13. The representative of the Minister of the Navy has denied that the navy is to be scrapped. lie explained that tho Estimates provided for naval expenditure, which is a complete answer to the statement. —Press Assn. ESTIMATES INTRODUCED REDUCTION OF~FLEET PROVIDED FOR. (Rec. October 13, 11.5 p.m.; Melbourne, October 18. In the House of Representatives tho Minister for the Navy presented the Navy Estimate* Ho said that when drawn up the recommendations of tho Imperial Conference regarding the naval defence of the Empire and tho decisions of tho Federal Government thereon were not available, consequently estimates were framed with a view to maintaining the navy as far as’ possible in a state of efficiency. They provide for tho reduction of the fleet to fourteen ships, consisting of two light cruisers, ono training cruiser, two eloops, four destroyers, submarine depot ship, three submarines, and one yacht, and a personnel of 501 officers and 4188 men. Tho Australia is retained with a special crow for training purposes.—Press Assn.