NAVAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1922, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE.

POLICY OF BRITAIN. REDUCTION OF STRENGTH. ENFORCING THE TREATY. --..1 By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, June 19. The text lias been issued of a Bill, introduced by Lord Lee (First Lord of the Admiralty) in the House of Lords, providing for the carrying out of the Wa<i ngton treaties for the limitation of naval armaments and the protection of non-combatants at sea during war time. The Bill restricts the building of warships, except by license from the Admiralty, and empowers the Admiralty to search any ship in course of building or altering, arming or equipping and to seize the ship where there are reasonable grounds for believing that the Act has been contravened. The penalty for contravention is imprisonment not exceeding two years, with or without hard labor and a line not exceeding £lOO, or both, and the forfeiture of the ship. Anyone violating the rules of warfare against commerce is liable to punishment similarly as for piracy. The provisions cover the whole of the Empire, except the Dominions, India, and the Irish Free State, whdn constituted. Lord Lee said only two treaties required legislation, namely, the limitation of naval armaments and the protection of neutrals and non-combatants at sea and the prohibition of poison gas. Lord Selborne said the result qf the work of Lord Lee and Lord Balfour at Washington was the most brilliant piece of diplomacy which this country had to its credit. The second reading was carried.—Aus.N.Z- Cable Assn. Capetown, June 20. The Argus publishes a cabled summary of an exclusive article by the naval expert, Mr. Hurd, on the naval situation. Mr. Hurd went to the fountain head for information and quotes the following statement by one of the Sea Lords, who won a great reputation during the war. “If things go on as at present.” said this naval authority, “it looks as though we shall soon have little or no navy left, though the British Empire is larger than ever and far more vulnerable.”