DOWN TOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1921, Page 5

DOWN TOOLS

THE NAVAL HOLIDAY. BRITAIN'S PROMPT ACTION. BUILDING TO STOP, BLOW TO CLYDESIDE. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyrigtt. London, Nov. 18. Consternation has been caused on Clydeside by the Admiralty’s decision to drop the construction of three new warships which were expected to provide three years’ work and wages totalling £ 15,000,000. Beardmores’ have already ordered the closing of the Parkhead steel works, whose furnaces were only relit a few days ago after a period of idleness. It is understood the Admiralty’s order will not involve delay if the Washington plan is not confirmed. Admiral Kerr, interviewed, expressed the opinion that “We have already sufficient battleships for Europe, although those employed overseas are not much use. It is much cheaper to compensate contractors than to proceed with work which might be scrapped.” Commander Carlyon Bellairs thought the psychological effect of the Admiralty’s action was evidence of Britain’s good faith, and more valuable than material saving at the present juncture of the conference.

THOUSANDS UNEMPLOYED. PROTEST AT CESSATION. BRITAIN STOPS; AMERICA BUILDS. Received Nov. 19, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 18. Three thousand workmen at Parkhead are immediately affected by the closing of Beardinores’ steel works. The suspension of work on the Clydeside surprised Sheffield firms, who did not expect such a quick decision. Sheffield is already suffering severely through unemployment. Sheffield firms criticise the proposed ten years’ naval holiday on the ground ♦hat the production of armor and guns can only be kept at a high level by constant practice, and a long cessation would find the country in a seriously weakened condition when the time came to resume operations. The Daily Express states the Clydeside suspension decision is criticised in naval shipbuilding circles in London, and it is pointed out that the immediate moral effect may be considferable. bin. if the Washington Conference fails, and orders have to he givefi to hasten work next spring, the ultimate effect on the ‘world will be the reverse of that now desired. An ironic commentary on the international situation lies in the fact rhat on the day on which work on British ships ceased. America launched the superDreadnought West Virginia. The question insistently asked to-day is: “Was the advice anil concurrence of Lord Beatty asked before the order to suspend work was issued f ’ INTEREST TN WASHINGTON. AMERICA SHOULD FOLLOW. STRONG PUBLIC OPINION. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Assn.) Received Nov. 20, 5.5 p.m. Washington. Nov. IS. There was great discussion in Washington to-day regarding the British action in stopping the construction of four super-Hoods. Public and political opinion strongly favors similar action by the United State*, and the argument is freely used that unless she does so she loses the initiative of the Disarmament Conference, eeeing this is the second occasion where Britain has offered to go further than with Mr. Hughes’ plan in the interests of the cause. A motion is now before the Senate, calling on the Administration to cease construction work on battleships. Its supporters claim that the British action has enormously strengthened their hand. Official circles cannot be drawn, though indications at present are that they decline to follow suit.

MAY INVOLVE LOSS. BUT WILL BE WELCOMED. ' MR. SCHWAB’S ENTHUSIASM. New York, Nov. IS. Mr. Charles Schwab, in a speech at a dinner in honor of Marshal Foch, said: “I had the largest works manufacturing war materials in the world. My company’s shipyards, the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, built more naval ships than were built in any yards under one management in America, but I have been thrilled beyond expression by the brilliant and statesmanlike scheme Mr. C. E. Hughes is carrying out. “That plan may involve great monetary loss in some quarters, but such things as financial loss can be of no consideration when compared with the inestimable boon to mankind which is involved in tne realisation of that magnificent plan. May God speed the day when the noble conception can be realised. 4 -t say to you from the bottom of my heart that ‘if the statesmen now in Washington should find it possible to bring about disarmament and permanent peace, gladly would I see the warmaking machinery at the Bethlehem steel works’sunk to the bottom of the ocean. The American iron and steel industry will gladly and willingly accept the money loss, if disarmament inflicts it upon us.” AMERICA’S INCONSISTENCY. BIG BATTLESHIP LAUNCHED. Received Nov. 20, 11.5 p.m. New York, Nov. 19. A telegram from Newport News, Virginia, states that the battleship West Virginia, scheduled to be the most powerful vessel in the American Navy, was launched today. She is 624 feet long and of 32,000 tons displacement. The ship has eight 16inch guns and two torpedo tubes. The vessel has already cost 15,000,000 dollars, and it is intended to spend 10.1)00.000 more if ehe is egxaßletei ’