NAVAL ESTIMATES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1928, Page 3

NAVAL ESTIMATES

ALU BIUDGUAIA.N'S HK.SUAIK. .Australian Press Association A Sun. t Deceived this rJay at 10.15 a.mA LONDON, .March 15. In the Commons Air Bridgeman presenting the naval estimates, pointed mil that the total almost exactly corresponded with the expenditure ol 1014, if they allowed the increase in the rates of pay and prices of materials. The estimates' really showed a saving of thirty-seven per cent, flic conference had hcen most impressed with Britain’s burdens to which Australia and New Zealand had made considerable contributions. He hoped the burdens would be recognised throughout the Umpire and that others would follow their example. Since the Armistice, Britain had scrapped 1538 ships, a total tonnage of two millions. Nobody could say we had not done our share. It was more than our share of disarmament, considering we were the only nation dependent on a free passage of the sea for our very existence. The present naval expenditure was only seven per cent of the whole Budget compared with twenty-four point five liefore tlie war. The United States present percentage was eight and a half, •Japan’s fourteen and a half. An agreement had not been readied at Geneva, chiefly because America wanted size of cruisers and we wanted numbers. Since Geneva, during America’s consideration of the programme, we had reduced ours by three cruisers partly to meet financial needs and partly to show nothing had occurred at Geneva to drive as into a naval building competition with Llie United States or anybody else. Too much stress had been laid in relation to the failure at Geneva of America’s programme. The latter contained two cruisers less than the United States asked at Geneva. There was no. more reason to suppose the American Fleet was going £<> be used for aggression than ours. He did not agree for the moment with the view that Geneva had done harm and hindered future limitations, and lie lipped the members of all parties would not suggest that Geneva had led Lo strained relations, or the utterance of bellicose views-which were untrue. A great deal of common ground had been found at Geneva in a difficult problem owing to nations divergent needs. He agreed with President Coolidge's view that the interest ol coinmoil sense in both countries would lead before long, to further efforts in the direction of the limitation of armaments. He concluded with a high tribute to Admiral Beatty’s services. LONDON. Afarc-h 15. Afr Ammon urged the necessity of 00-o nI i n ation of the fighting services, the appointment of a. committee to examine the whole cpiestion of the AHnistry of Defence. He deplored the expenditure on the Singapore base. Britain at next the AVnsliington Conference ought to propose the abolition of both capital ships and submarines and reduction of cruisers. AH- Horebolisha said the Admiralty did not sdbmit any rational proposal for disarmament. A better formula than Hint made at Geneva would lie that the country with Hie largest maritime trade should possess tiie largest navy. The Dominions were not bearing an adequate share of the naval burden. Afr Kenworthv said if Sir A. Chamberlain went to AVasliingtoii following the presidential election and explored the position at the next naval limitation conference lie would .1.. /li«nmiiimonfc than

do more good tor liisnrmament ui.m all tlie endless talk at Geneva. MAKING STEEL BY WIRELESS -H3OLB. AN HOl T R. LONDON, Mareli I>. Steel making by wireless is the arresting inscription of a. process which was demonstrated at tlio Sheffield works of Edgar Allen and Co. Ltd., recently. _ . Tt is also a correct description, lor the melting is done by means of a highfrequency electrical current which is projected into the furnace, where it induces- beat in the material to be melted. . . The electrical ’effects are very similar to those used in wireless installations. The walls of the crucible mercly sei-ve the purpose of a container. The furnace is contained within a square wooden box so cool that the hand can be placed on it. The furnace is the Ajax-Northrup High Frequency Furnace, and is the first of its kind in the world to lie used for he manufacture of high quality tool steel. 'it melts about -150 pounds or stool in an hour. This is a notable advance on the old crucible furnace which held abou GO pounds and was fired by coho 01 gas.