THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 19 April 1907, Page 3

THE BRITISH NAVY.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION —BY ELECTBIC TELEGBAEa.—COPYBIOHT.

IXTERESTIXG DEBATE IX THE LORDS. RELATIVE NAVAL STRENGTH JIL'ST BE MAINTAINED. EFFORTS CONCENTRATED UX BATTLESHIPS. Received 18, 11.5 p.m. London, April 18. In lln 1 lluu-e of Lords, Lord l>ras:;ev called attention to < lie shipbuilding programme. 'lhe size of,the Dreadnoughts, *aid, w;is no securit'y against certain ri-ks. The latest cruisers were almost as large and costly as battleships, hut in lino of battle their speed would give |no advantage, while in limiting po\ve v they would be inferior to battleships to j which tiiey Mould he opposed. He urged 'the AdmiiaUy to concentr;<te their'resources as far as posisblo on bailie ships.

Lord Tweedinouth, Firs' Lord of the Admiralty, said (lie Admiralty's policy was fouuded oil three ground* accepted by every part)'. First: We must keep'command of the sea regardless of cost.

Second: We now have unquestioned command.

Third: T!u burden is very heavy owing to keen competition by the various naval powers. He added: "We go to the Hague Convention absolutely unpledged; or, in other words, if others extend their programme, we extend'ours in order to keep our relative position.'' lie agreed that the Admiralty should concentrate their efforts on battleships. Eari Cawdor expressed extreme pleasure at the statement, and the subject dropped.