Mr. W. H. Smith, formerly First Lord of the Admiralty,
does his best to utilise the cry which has risen for additions to the Navy. In a letter to the leading London papers, published on Tuesday, he deprecates any discussion as to which of the parties has managed the Navy best ; and says the true question is whether our shores and colonies and food supply are safe from foreign attack P He would, therefore, strongly recommend an inquiry by a Committee of the House of Commons, or a joint Committee of the two Houses, into the state of the Navy, and pending its Report, an increase in the rapidity of work in the Dock- yards, so that vessels under construction should be finished in half the time originally arranged. He advises that the Corn. mittee should be granted in the Autumn Session, and, we fear, is not without hope that a great Naval discussion may turn away attention from the struggle with the Lords. We do not believe in these Commissions, which usually waste time in collecting the information already in the hands of the Ad- miralty, and would much rather that the Sea Lords themselves advised on any existing necessities. If that were done, and the House of Commons expressed uneasiness, the Treasury would not resist needful outlay, and we should get at once from talking to work. The Department has a great advantage in a Chan- cellor of the Exchequer who was once First Lord, and who, if he understands ships or not, must understand who are trust- worthy advisers about ships.
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