BRITAIN'S NAVY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8502, 3 August 1907, Page 5

BRITAIN'S NAVY.

Received August 2,7.53 a.m. LONDON, August 1. In the House of Commons Mr E. Robertson, Financial Secretary to .the Admiralty, dealing with the shipbuilding vote, stated that the British flotilla of destroyers was superior in essential qualities to any foreign flotilla. Further construction of large armoured cruisers was not required immediately, in view of our superiority in these, and attention in connection with the programme of 1908 was therefore being directed towards the improvement of scouts —a secondary evolution of a new type—to succeed the Edgar class of cruisers. Mr Robertson proceeded to describe the Boadicea type of third-class cruiser, which was largely superior in coal endurance and armament to the scout, and suitable as a parent ship to destroyers, also for service on stations. He showed that there had been no cheese-paring in regard to repairs to the fleet, and that reports regarding discharges from the dockyards had been exaggerated. Mr Balfour said the whole disquiet of the public mind related to repairs. He was convinced that disquiet would be ended if the Admiralty, on its own authority, would state in regard to each ship whether criticism was accurate. The Times declares that .Mr Balfour pointed to the true remedy, and trusts that it will forthwith be applied. The Times emphasises with regard to cruisers, that we are on 'the eve of a new departure. The problem 'will, it says, involve an exhaustive study, and perhaps much controversy, before it is solved.