BRITAIN’S NAVY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1930, Page 6

BRITAIN’S NAVY

NAVAL ANNUAL COMMENT

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received this day at 12.25. p.tn.i LONDON, Dec. 7. ' The approach of the Disarmament Conference adds interest to Brassey’s Naval Annual published to-day. The naval contributor says: “Nothing should be done to lessen Britain’s private shipbuilding resources by over-drastic dispersal of skilled labour. At present less than one cruiser per year is being constructed here. British submarine strength will be reduced from fifty vessels to thirty by 1932. The writer on foreign navies cites the remarkable construction progressing- within the limits of the Exchequers of every maritime nations, small ones ordering abroad if they cannot build themselves.

He states: “Submarines are popular with smaller nations, who recognise their value in defying surface ship attacks. None of the lesser Powers not represented at the Conference is bound by its possible agreements.

Britain once led the world in building foreign warships. Her largest orders to-day are flotilla leaders and submarines, whereas Italy is building two six thousandi ton cruisers and numerous small craft for foreigners, and France is securing orders lor foreign submarines.’’