TRADE ROUTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1924, Page 3

TRADE ROUTES.

ADMIRAL FIELtfS ADVICE. WELIN'GTON. May 8. Vice-Admiral. Sir Frederick Field, in an interview prior to bis departure, made further reference to bis speech at the Parliamentary luncheon on April 28th. He said that his remarks at the Government luncheon were intended to convey the opinion that as the Home Government had decided not to proceed with the establishment of a naval base at Singapore at present, it was no use New Zealand voting money for that purpose; but in the meantime ho had endeavoured to emphasise the importance of making provision for protection of the trad" routes in these waters bv adding a second cruiser to the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy as soon as possible, thereby promoting and enhancing efficiency by the factor of competition and by the possibility of exchanging sTiins with the Imperial Navy. He suggested ultimately aiming at the ••■tcuance of a squadron of three cruisers, as this was the least number necessary for adequate protection of trade routes in lime of trouble.

The idea in general was that each Dominion should keep up a sufficient force to guard its tratle route-', thereby ensuring a continuance of commerce in face of the commerce destroyers of the enemy. One part of the Empire would link with another, so as to safeguard the main seaways trade. “T have been asked by various people,” said the Vice-Admiral, “to remark on the numerous suggestions made, particularly in the Dress, that the capital ship has been, or shortly will be. superseded by the submarine and airplane, and that, therefore, it is a waste of money to continue to build capital ships. “I do not need to sav that T disagree with this view. If a naval Bower decides to maintain submarines only, the opposing Bower could very easily, and at a small expense, construct a number of high-speed shallow draught antisubmarine vessels, fitted with the latest. detecting apparatus and special offensive weapons against submarines. In this way it could praetieally limit (lie operations of the submarine to a comparatiely iiiiiiioeuous range.”’ A Bower which put its trust in submarines would then be compelled to adopt a type of surface vessels, larger, and with greater offensive powers, than its opponent possessed. Thus the proee.-s would continue until tliev again arrived at the capital ships. Regarding tin* airplane, lie pointed out that these were mainly effective in narrow seas, which left all other trade routes totally uimrotected from attack by coliimorco-destroving cruisers