Growing Navies in British Commonwealth

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1948, Page 8

Growing Navies in British Commonwealth

The fact that members of the British Commonwealth of Nations now have useful fleets of their own means as the Westminster debates on .naval affairs have shown, that defence of the Commonwealth is, for the first time, not considered in terms of the Royal Navy alone. Australia has three cruisers, eight destroyers, 15 frigates and 32' minesweepers and is building two light fleet carriers.

Canada has one aircraft carrier, two cruisers, 11 destroyers, six frigates and nine minesweepers. New Zealand has two cruisers, two frigate and seven minesweepers. South Africa, which is forming a fleet, has four frigates and two minesweepers.

India! and Pakistan are to have navies. India is to have a cruiser, and three destroyers and Pakistan two destroyers. Malaya has decided to create a naval force and other colonies are considering the matter.

Close Co-operation Viscount Hall, First Lord of the Admiralty, assured Parliament that lhe closest co-operation exists between the Naval Staffs in the Commonwealth. This shows itself chiefly in visits, exercises and the exchange of information and research. The Australian Minister of Defence recently said that in view of the fundamental importance of sea power to the Commonwealth and the fact that in war its navies act under the strategic direction of the Admiralty, the provision of two' carriers and increased Australian naval expenditure are contributions to the naval strength of the Commonwealth as well as to Australian defence.