AIR POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 4

AIR POLICY

!broai> continuity I

;(From "The Post's" Representative.) ■ LONDON,'I3th March. According to a While Paper issued^ on Saturday, the net total of Air Estimates for 1930 is £17,850,000, an increase of £890,000 on last ycarX figures; including a supplementsjy estimate of £760,000. Lord Thomson, the Secretary oi State for Air, in a memorandum accom.--panying the Estimates, says that the experience of the present year *j»s shojvn that the "super-cut" (or ov&rhead deduction to discount underspending) of £650,000, assumed in the 1928! Estimates was altogether too large. Aq» cordingly, >in these Estimates it has been reduced to £] 50,000. "Generally speaking, these Estimates" allow for a broad continuity of air' policy, and in particular the outline! oi the Home Defence Sehome are sot prejudiced. For the coming year, how« ever, the approved increases of they, Eoyal Air Force are of small dimensions, and are destined to 'demonstrate Once more the earnest desire of His; Majesty's Government to avoid disa#» trous competition in air armaments. "With this end in view the consoli* dation of the existing units of th«l Home Defence Force will be the mam feature of the 1930 programme, *nd' th© only new unit to be added to that force will be one non-regular squad* i v ran." A torpedo-bomber squadron whieli was originally formed as an experimental unit had been reorganised for normal service duties with a view t«' its proceeding to Singapore during th«. current year. In 1930 one flying boat squadron and N one cadre squadron will be formed, tut the chief developments will b« in nd» varicing the- equipment of the Force as a whole and of the units which w»« formed in 1929 in particular. Two ntyr flights which were contained in the Fleet Air Arm programme for 1929* and were deferred, were now included in the programme for 1930. It was proposed that a squadron of _ flying boats should carry out a cruise in ths Baltic during the coming summer. : • Excellent results continued, to btjj achieved by the University air squad* rons at Oxford and Cambridge, and thej fact that solo flying in term-time was now permitted to members of these squadrons at both Universities bad had the beneficial effect of enabling tuition; in. flying .to be maintained without at break both in and out of term. Botli squadrons had been maintained at full strength since their formation, and H was estimated that, on an overage, eacli vacancy was applied for twice over. The keynotes of the policy indicated by the Air Estimates arc consolidation^' scientific and technical development^ and continuity in airship progress* There will be a criticism, of the con.» tinued retardation of the home defened programme of fifty-two squadrons a* the minimum consistent with safety^ but no surprise will be felt in «xistinj circumstances. The light aeroplane club (thirteen are subsidised) will welcome a promise of continued support. This, after present agreements expire, will be on tho same basis as that given to National Flying Services, namely,, a per capita grant of £10 for each member qualifying. ,The total outlay will be onlj; * 20,000, and the advaatage to th« country is very great. It is l very satisfactory that, irhat ijl of paramount importance, namely, research and experiment, have not b«em permitted to suffer loss, although i* may be remarked that Great Britain: spends mfleh less than does th» United States in this direction.

, EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. '■<"

"Tho Case of Lena Smith" will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The cast U headed by Esthe- Balston,"and supporting her fire James Hall, f red Kohler, Lawrence Gr»ntj. and Ann Brody. "The Case of Lena Smith offers Esther Ralston the gre»test opportunity of her career for drnmxtic portrayal; ;• An •t*; collent supporting .programme will:;' ■ «!so >li# screened