BRITAIN ARMS in Cause of Peace

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 28, 17 February 1937, Page 5

BRITAIN ARMS in Cause of Peace

(Briiifeh Offioial Wireleai.)

SACRIF1CE NEEDED £1,500,000,000 Wanted in Nest Five Years PEAK YEAR UNCERTAIN

(Received 17, 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 16. In a speech the Minister for War, the Bon. A. Duff Cooper, said that Britain was arming in order to promote the cause of peace in the world. The British Emplre had tio greater interest than that of peace, In arming for peace they were also arming for the intereits ef Britain, There was a general feeling, he said, that the emergerlcy was so great and the danger so Teal that, whatever sacrifices might be necessary, those seeri Cces oiust be borne. A statement relating to the defence expenditure has been issued. The White P&per states that it is possible that the ievel of expenditure over the next two or three years might be much heaviet than in the current year. It is not at pfesent possible to determine what will be the peak year of defence expenditure. Taking the prograinitie as it itands to-day, however, it would be impfudent to contemplate total expenditure on defence during the iiext five ^ years of aiuch less than £1,500,000,000. .. On this estimatd, the statement Says, deeply as they deplore the necessity for this vast expenditure on arffiaments and pther defensive measures His Majosty 's Government is convinced that it must be undertaken