Naval Estimates

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 218, 14 March 1914, Page 5

Naval Estimates

BUILDING PROGRAMME REDUCED. CANADIAN PROGRAMME IN ABEYANCE. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright Received 13, 10.10 p.m. London, March 13. The Naval Estimates show that. the personnel of the navy is 151,500, an increase of 5000. ■ For new construction, excluding air service, £18,373,000 will be requested, whereof the new programme will re quire £14,817,000, a decrease of £4,007,700. Thirteen battleships, one battle cruiser, 16 light cruisers, 30 torpedoers and 24 submarines are building. A sum of £375,000 will be devoted to the construction of aircraft. Five, seaplane bases will be completed, and guns capable of elevation against aircraft have now been mounted on battleships. Experiments in bomb-throwing and wireless telegraphy are continuous. The statement adds that the Canadian Government, not having obtained Parliamentary sanction to build its three ships, the development of a considered naval policy in Canada ib .therefore in abeyance. '■ Lobby criticism is concentrating on the absence of a provision for making good the deficiency of the Canadian vessels, and the failure to increase the strength of tie Mediteranman fleet.

London, March 13. Ministerialists generally approve of the absence! of provision to replace the Canadian warships.