LACK OF CO-ORDINATION

Chronicle (Levin), 10 November 1949, Page 5

LACK OF CO-ORDINATION

f N.Z.P.A. -

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Weakness Seen In Atlantic Defence Strategy

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Received Thursday, 11.5 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 9. The Common strategy agreed on by the North Atlantic Powers Mjas "very complicated, with- -very little co-ordinating power or definite direction behind it," Viscount Templewood, Secretary for Air in the first year of. the Second World War, told the House of Lords today during the defence de- " bate. "I-have a feeling that we are drifting back to the sort of system we called 'collective security' between the two wars," said Lord Templewood. "In that sort of syst.em there was always a tendency to make one country think that all other countries were going to do its job." He issued a warning that there was still a "curious apathy" in Britain about defence questions. Disturbingf Aspect Although the Royal Air Force was the nation's best safeguard agaiiist another war, nearly half its personnel were young _ short-term conscripts. Recruiting was going from bad to worse. In the first quarter of this year recruits to the permanent service totalled 4026, but by the third quarter the number had fallen to 2658. "These»are very disturbing figures, for the Royal Air Force depends essentially on its longservice personnel." He suggested better conditions and more pay for fiying risks as a remedy.