THE BRITISH NAVY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 2 April 1913, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

CABLE NEWS

(United Preu Association—-By Ulectrie Telegraph—Copyright)

STATEMENT BY MR WINSTON CHURCHILL. POS'SIB I LIT! hj& OF THE FUTURE. (Received Last Night, 9.30 o'clock.) LONDON, April 1. The Right Hon. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, speaking in the House of Commons, defended the Home Office's aviation regular tions, which the Admiralty warmly welcomed. It was, he said, essential that the aircraft should be under Admiralty direction. He jrebutted the suggestion that he had offered Germany a twelve months' holiday because of the congestion in the British dockyards. It would be possible to commence four or five capital ships in 1913, in. addition to the annual five and the Malaya, totalling ten or eleven vessels complete and able in from twenty-four to thirty ■months. There would be no difficulty in manning the vessels. It would b*> unnecessary to b6rrow, or to impose fresh taxation, as the money devoted to the reduction of the national debt far exceeded anything required. Biitain would not take such steps, because they were unnecessary. Having regard to the responsibilities of the Empire in the Pacific and Mediterranean, it was clear that the margin of .strength available for the whole world service would be insufficient after the first quarter of 1916, unless the Dominions or ' Britain took further steps. If in the new development the Mediterranean, • Pacific or Canadian ships miscarried, it would be necessary to review the situation. 'Britain could build! these ships heself, but the fact that Canada was coming forward to testify the enduring life of the Empire, had already produced an impression throughout the world which was as valuable as many Dreadnoughts. It was immaterial whether the offer took the form of Mr Borden's or Sir Wilfrid Laurier's policy.