NAVAL CUTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 2 August 1929, Page 2

NAVAL CUTS

REAL SACRIFICE OF STRENGTH CANCELLED CONTRACTS DISMISSAL OF WORKMEN fXJnIUd Prew AuooiaMon—By KUotrlo Tmleffrapb-Oopyrixht) (Australian Press Association) LONDON, Ist August. Naval correspondents point out that the extent of tlie Government's naval cuts have scarcely been realised. It has been stated that there is 1.0 real sacSP.cn of naval strength made in suspending the construction of the cruisers Surrey and Northumberland, and the cancelling of two submarines and the submarine depot at Medway, but actually all the named vessels belonged to the 1928 programme, for which large sums had been voted by Parliament long ago. The scheme was estimated to cost about £11,000,000. The action of the Government has reduced this to £5,000,000. Nor is it true to say that the vessels were merely contemplated. On the contrary, all were ordered months ago and orders were already placed for material to the extent of £1,750,000 and authority given for an additional £l,400,000 during the current year. Apart from the blow to the industry, there will undoubtedly be claims for compensation for broken contracts. The "Daily Telegraph's" naval correspondent says: "It will be seen that Britain has made a real and vital sacrifice in the interests of international disarmament and goodwill. Owing to the Admiralty cancelling the submarine contract, Beardmores paid off 700 Clydeside workers."