THE BRITISH NAVY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 73, 22 March 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

THE DOMINIONS AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE. NEEDLESS DELAY DENIED. tßy Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) London, March 21. Mr. George Lambert, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, continuing the navy debate, said that the accusation ol needless delay in the completion of the Australian and New Zealand ships was baseless. Hie delay was due to an endeavour to secure the best armour. Mr. Churchill, alluding to Imperial defence, said it was not for the Admiralty to initiate proposals to tiie Dominions. It would cordially grant expci t assistance if sought, and frankly inform them of all the facts connected with the naval policy. Referring to the question of associating the .Dominion Ministers with Imperial defence, he declared that consultations on the subject would soon be less encumbered with difficulties. A defence committee offered the most flexible means of establishing the real intimacy which ought to exist between the responsible leaders of the great Dominions and those concerned with the Empire’s defence here. Mr. Churchill, in replying to the suggestion of-the hope to reduce the navy, pointed out that Sir H. Campbell-: Banuermann’s prolonged restraint in navy building had not produced any slackening, but the doubling of the Gorman construction. Negotiations had (been progressing for some time to exchange naval information. England was always ready to state what ships .were building and when they would be completed, providing that Germany reciprocated. BATTLE CRUISER LAUNCHED. London, March 21. The battle cruiser Queen Mary was launched at, Jarrow.. CO-ORDINATING THE SERVICES. (Received 22, 8.5 a.m.) London, March 21. Lord Esher, in a paper before the Royal United Service Institution, on co-ordination in the naval and military services, declared that the Impel-, al Defence Committee was the most effective method yet devised. He hoped to see the Dominions sending representatives, thus taking ’ a long step towards federation of the Empire. The ties with the overseas were mainly sentimental, although by recent indications the Dominions’ willingness to assist in the defence of tire Empire if any attempt to co-or-dinate strategic plans was not impossible would prove disastrous. ,S UPERrDREADN OUGHT LAUNCHED. U (Received 22, 12.15 p.ra.) ■ 1 London, March 21. '"’The super-Dreaduought Ajax has been laimchcd-at Greenock. She is of 23,600 tons, and 22 knots. r*h\ I -■ V