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An Efficient Navy.
Maling
in the
In the words of the late King George V, Britain's "sure shield" is her navy.
Britain lives, if not on the sea, by the sea sense that her existence and prosperity have for generations depended upon sea-borne supplies. To guard her trade routes and ensure the arrival of her merchant ships bearing food and commodities from all quarters of the globe, a strong navy has been the prime necessity of Great Britain.
Now that there are rumours and threats of war a strong navy is more than ever necessary to the well-being and security of the country, It is therefore comforting to know that the navy is in a better state of preparedness for all eventualities than ever before in peace time, better than it was in 1914.
Within a few hours the maritime defences of Great Britain can be put on a war footing. Wherever conflict might conceivably arise
there would be no delay, and no shortage of stores in vital positions. Defence preparations have already been made. Component parts of defence work are ready for rapid assembly. The most modern forms of defence have been provided for every port of importance.
The merchant marine has been prepared to play its part.**x££££ BIXWAXX In case of need guns will be mounted on the decks of merchant ships, which have been specially strengthened in recent months. Escorting vessels and patrol forces of the Royal Navy have been enormously increased it was recently announced that there was to be an increase of 180 ships among the small craft vital for patrol duties and the defence of merchant ships at sea. Naval reserve forces have undergone special training. It is confidently claimed that the British Royal Navy is at the highest possible pitch of efficiency, ready for any emergency that may arise.