On Monday the debate on the Naval Estimates was opened
by Sir Ughtred Kay-Shnttleworth, who urged that a very great extra burden was now being imposed on the Admiralty, and that we ought to guard against any possible breakdown in that "growing and unwieldy" department by paying more attention to internal organisation. As to the shipbuilding programme, he doubted whether we were wise to add more battleships since France was giving up her attempt to out. build us there. Bat we imagine that the Board's desire for more battleships is not due so much to any competition ideas as to the lessons of the late war. Mr. Kearley urged that more attention should be paid to the Reserve, and dealt with one form of the proposal that the Government should teach boys their business as sailors, and that in exchange for this they should join the Royal Naval Reserve. That is a plan we have repeatedly supported in principle. Why should seaman- ship be the only trade which we do not help by supplying technical education ? Mr. Macartney replied shortly for the Government in the absence of Mr. Goschen, who, we much regret to see, was unable to come to the House (owing to an attack of influenza) and hear the well-merited praise bestowed on the Navy. Undoubtedly the thanks of the country are due to Mr. Goschen for the high pitch of efficiency to which he has raised the Navy. It is not fair to say that his task was easy because he has had an open purse. Nothing is easier than to combine inefficiency and lavishness.
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