NAVAL TREATY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 March 1939, Page 5

NAVAL TREATY

NO ABROGATION MOVE BY GERMANY TERMINATION BY MUTUAL CONSENT. PROVISIONS OF AGREEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. Germany has not broached the question of abrogation of the Anglo-Ger-man naval treaty. Actually the treaty dees not contain any provision for denunciation and can only be terminated by the mutual consent of both parties. QUESTION DEBATED. HERR HITLER MEETS MINISTERS. LONDON. March 20. Reuter’s correspondent in Berlin understands that a conference held yesterday between Herr Hitler and his Ministers debated whether they should denounce the Anglo-German Naval Treaty. Apparently no decision was reached. It is believed that Herr Hitler, realising that it is impossible immediately to build up the fleet beyond treaty limits, favours an increase in the air force to show his displeasure at the democratic reactions to the latest conquest. NAVAL DEFENCE DOMINIONS’ ACTION PRAISED. DISCUSSION IN COMMONS.’ By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, March 21. Mr A. V. Alexander (Labour) speaking in the debate on the Navy estimates in the. House of Commons today said it would be ungrateful if a member of the House of Commons did not praise the Dominions’ maval action. Australia had made great efforts in proportion to her population to assist in the naval defence of their part of the British Commonwealth. New Zealand’s increased expenditure was also important. It might be a wise precaution to arrange docking facilities in Australia and South Africa for the largest warship. He was sure that the Dominions would be willing to assist. “I would feel happier if Canada would approximate to the Australian action,” added Mr Alexander.

Sir Roger Keyes (Conservative) expressed the opinion that the German naval treaty was not worth the paper it. was written on. Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, contended that the treaty had a stabilising effect. The House agreed to the estimates.