NAVAL QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1930, Page 6

NAVAL QUESTION

LORD BEATTY’S VIEW,

Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

LONDON, July 2

Referring to Singapore Base, Earl Beatty, in the House of Lords said that was not yet finished, but without it we should be helpless to'protect our Empire and trade in the Far East and India. By 1933 Franco would, possess 24 submarines and a flotilla of ,2200 to. 2500 tons, with 5.5. inc bguns, whereas we should have practical .equality. What possible chance should we have of maintaining our food supplies and vital commodities against such strength possessed.liy a Mediterranean power.

Lord expressed the-1 idlest possible agreement with Earl Beatty. Lord Parmoor, replying for the Government, said that they had just as great care and anxiety for the security of thc country as , any other Government. The changed world conditions were sufficient to explain why 50 cruisers would give us in 1930 security for which 70 cruisers were desirable in 1927. He believed that the great mass of the people of this country desired this Treaty and <a:,policy of the fullest undertakings with tlie United States,,., and they arc prepared to feel secure so long,as they knew that no step was taken, except under the , advice of expert advisers for the. time being; on the ..Board .of the Admiralty.... •■•O -■’

ARE NAVAL LORDS CONVINCING?

LONDON,. July-3.!

“The Times,” in an editorial„ : isa.y.s: “ The speeches of Lord Beatty and Lord Jellicoe must increase • our anxiety about our meagre allowance of cruisers, but they will not persuade tbe great bulk of responsible opinion tlmt the elimination of competitive building between ourselves, tbe United States and Japan was not such a great benefit that it. justified the Government in accepting the treaty. The House of Lords naval debate will have an excellent effect if it impresses the nation with the necessity of vigilance tq; ensure that -our construction does not lag behind the Treaty standard. 1 Mr Alexander’s 1930 programme is unsatisfactory, especially as it will not lie seriously begun until 1931.