NO BATTLESHIPS?

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 414, 22 April 1937, Page 3

NO BATTLESHIPS?

CRUISERS MORE USEFUL.

Australian Construction. London, April 14. It is not. expected that any decisions will be reached regarding new Australian maval construction, or any major issues.' in connection with the defence of other Dominions, until the Imperial Conference. The Associated Press political cor-respond:-nt understands that most of the speculation, including the rumours of specific building programmes, is baseless. Both the Admiralty and Australia House nawal staffs have no knowledge of the suggestion that the Commonweal.h Is proposing to build an £8,000,01)0 battleship.

Naval experts point out that it would be contrary to the Commonwealth’s naval policy. Furthermore, as Australia already has in commission three cruisers, three destroyers and a sloop, apart from establishment requirements, it would be impossible to provide personnel, who need at .east five years’ training,for a battleship, whose financial cost is prohibitive in relation to the Australian Budget. It is emphasised that battleships must operate as a squadron, for which the Commonwealth would need five. Australia’s only prospect of accommodation with battleships is if Britain later decides to transfer a squadron to the Pacific with a main base at Singapore, but with frequent visits to Australian ports. The experts agree that Australia strategically, and also for training purposes, primarily needs cruisers and destroyers. Consequently, any augmentation resulting from the Imperial Conference will almost certainly concern these categories.