THE BRITISH NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 838, 12 March 1903, Page 4

THE BRITISH NAVY.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright^ LONDON, March 10. Tiie Navy estimates provide for an expenditure of ;£34,4;)7,0(J0, New construction will absopb £IU--137,000, consisting of three battleships, lour nrst-class armored cruisers, three third-class cruisers, four scouts, fifteen torpedo boat destroyers, ten submarines, mostly to be built by contract. It is proposed to increase the per—’i by 4,000 men. sonm. ' now 11IU ] cr construction i nere are - orut nineteen areleven battleships, _ • „ iv . j )a j,(i e _ mored cruisers, of which a ... ‘„ otu _ sbips and eleven cruisers will be pleted by March nexi.

It is intended to' train all seamen in mechanical knowledge and stoking and give medals and bonuses for gunnery ; also to strengthen the Naval Intelligence Department. The proceedings at tile late Colonial Conference in London embody Admiralty proposals as regards Australia, besides the new Home squadron. It is intended to establish a South Atlantic squadron, with bases at Gibraltar and Sierra Leone, covering the west coast of Africa and the south-west coast of America.

The Times says the Naval proposals are wise, courageous, and satisfactory. It is expected that the growth of the Naval estimates will strengthen the movement for a reduction of the army. Mr Guest (Conservative) will move for a reduction by 27,000 men approx iniately on (be total augmentation of tlie infantry during the last live years A number of Unionists support the motion on the ground that quality is better than quantity.