BRITISH BATTLESHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1939, Page 5

BRITISH BATTLESHIPS

SERVICE IN THE PACIFIC IN EMERGENCY REPORTED DECISION OUTCOME OF NEGOTIATION. CONFERENCE AT SINGAPORE IN PROSPECT. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, May 11. The naval eorrespmidenf of (he “ Daily Telegraph,” Mr I lector Bywater, says he understands that, as a result of (he recent defence negotiations between Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, British battleships have been earmarked for service in the Pacific in (he event of an emergency. The number and names of the vessels cannot be disclosed, but the composition of the force has been calculated in view of the balance of power in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Well-informed naval authorities believed that any threat to New Zealand and Australian territory has practically disappeared. The “Daily Telegraph” further says it is understood that flag-officers of British naval squadrons east of Suez are meeting in Singapore shortly to modernise the co-ordination of defences.

A message from Canberra yesterday reported (hat the Australian Minister of Defence, Mr G. A. Street, as announcing that Sir Leopold Saville, who was formerly Civil Engineer-in-Chief of the British Admiralty, is coming to Australia to advise on the construction of a dry dock capable of taking a capital ship.