NAVAL POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1921, Page 5

NAVAL POLICY.

BIG SHIPS NOT OBSOLETE. POSITION IN THE PACIFIC. NEED OF DOCKYARDS, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.- Copyright. London, Jan. 30. Rear-Admiral Patey, in a contribution to the naval discussion, says he knows nothing to justify the statement that up-to-date battleships are obsolete and valueless. He believes the combination of surface ships, submarines and aircraft essential for the protection of the lines of sea communication, commerce and the coasts. He says: "The suggestion that we should wait and do nothing attracts politicians, but the Empire cannot afford to wait unless we immediately do our best for ourselves. In four years we shall be reduced to the position of second naval Power, which would be intolerable. "The most pressing need in Australia and New Zealand is dockyards. Whether Britain or Australasia provides ships facilities must be made available. This is urgent because the presence of ships in Australasian waters will be imperative in the event of Pacific complications.” Admiral Patey believes that Australia and New Zealand should concentrate on dockyards, aircraft and submarine bases, while Britain supplies the largest surface vessels. BIG SHIPS INQUIRY. CAUSE OF DEADLOCK. London, Jan. 30. The deadlock in the big ships inquiry ,s due to the predominantly civilian character of the committee which is dealing with a highly technical subject On the one hand they are impressed by the march of invention and the lessons learned through air and undersea activities; on the other hand they found a big rally throughout the higher ranks of the Admiralty in favor of big ships.